AREA TEAMS STAND A WIN SHY OF FINAL FOUR; ND HOPES LONG ARM OF THE LAW HALTS TIGERS (2A)

Clearwater has to consider adjusting its game plan.

Notre Dame catcher Scott Reinagel has that effect on teams.

A speedy Clearwater team will take on strong-armed Reinagel and the Bulldogs today in a Class 2A quarterfinal game in Piedmont. Weather permitting, the first pitch will be thrown at 2 p.m.

Notre Dame, the No. 1 ranked team in the state, brings a 21-4 record into the game.

"They're a team centered around speed," said Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett of the Tigers, who come into today's game at 19-4. "They like to run the bases. They look to bunt and steal and they got speed up and down the lineup. Even when we were ahead by six or seven runs (in a win over them earlier this year), they were stealing bases which played right into our hands with Scott behind the plate. He's definitely going to make a difference."

Reinagel has been nothing short of incredible behind the plate this year. Many teams don't dare run on him because his reputation precedes him. But those who've tried have found out that he has the arm to back up that reputation.

Reinagel has thrown out 12 of the 20 runners who have tried to steal on him this season. Take away four plays where Notre Dame opted not to throw on a first-and-third situation, he has thrown out 12 of 16 runners for a jaw-dropping 75 percent gundown rate.

"He's been catching all his life and he knows all the fundamentals," said Graviett. "He blocks pitches, he blocks the plate, his arm is phenomenal and he's got a quick release on top of that. And he's always on the money. He's been working on it all his life."

Clearwater's main stealing threat is its leadoff hitter Zack Johnson. Going into Thursday's sectional game in which Clearwater a team comprised of just one senior and a strong junior group came from behind to beat Hartville 7-6, Johnson had stolen 35 bases.

"Speed is a big part of our game," said Clearwater coach Tim Green. "The key is we're going to have to pick spots, maybe pick a count where there might be an off-speed pitch and see if we can attack that way. We've got to move runners and we've got to use our speed. Since they've got an outstanding catcher, we'll have to be more patient and smart about starting runners."

In Notre Dame's 7-0 win over Clearwater earlier this year, Johnson successfully stole one base in two attempts.

"He's very quick," said Graviett. "He stole the first base off (Brian) Obermann and the second time Scott gunned him down."

But Notre Dame, which took second in state last year, has more to be confident about than a strong-armed catcher.

There is the previous game where the Bulldogs rocked Clearwater ace Jamie McAlister for seven runs on nine hits. Notre Dame had 10 strikeouts, but the second and third time through the order they solved the junior right-hander.

But McAlister, who is also the team's best hitter, won't be pitching today. After throwing seven innings Thursday, the staff ace will only be able to throw an inning or two, tops.

Instead, either freshman Tyler Henson or junior Tom Schultz will get the nod.

Green said Thursday he was still not sure.

"The freshman is probably my second best, but man, what a game to throw him in," said Green. "I don't know if he's ready for that."

Henson is 4-1 this season with a 2.57 earned-run average. Schultz is 3-1 with a 1.79 ERA.

Green knows the tough task ahead. He's witnessed the high-powered Notre Dame offense first hand.

"If you hold Notre Dame to five runs, you've done something," he said. "You've got to be very cautious with (Josh) Eftink. You can't let him get rolling because this team feeds off him."

Mark Ostendorf will pitch today for the Bulldogs. Ostendorf is 9-1 this season with a 1.82 ERA and 55 strikeouts. Ostendorf also has the experience and the history to go with his numbers. Ostendorf not only pitched in the district championship game this year and the state title game last year, he also defeated Clearwater in the state quarterfinals last year.

In that game, Notre Dame won 9-5 and Ostendorf pitched a complete game where two of the runs were unearned and another scored on a wild pitch.

"He's been here before and I think the experience will help him," said Graviett. "He was feeling real good Thursday and got some work in (in the bullpen). He's real excited and fired up."

Obermann threw against Clearwater earlier this year and dominated the Tigers in what Graviett said was his best game of the season. The left-hander fanned 13 in a four-hit shutout.

"At least we're not facing a guy who struck out 13 of us and made us look like fools," Green said. "We were way too aggressive in that game. We must have had five strikeouts on pitches that bounced in front of the plate."

Offensively, Clearwater is led by McAlister who is batting .533 with four homers. Schultz is hitting .406.