Notre Dame softball team clobbers Cape Central 16-0

Notre Dame's Caroline Lochmann waits for a pitch during Tuesday's game at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

BEN MATTHEWS bmatthews@semissourian.com

Notre Dame greeted October with a 16-0 five-inning softball triumph over host Cape Girardeau Central on Tuesday.

It was the second time this season the Bulldogs had put up that many runs against the Tigers, posting a 16-3 win Sept. 5.

Hailey Kutz got the win, striking out four, walking none, and giving up two hits -- one each in the third and fourth innings.

The junior hurler thinks it might have been her best mound performance of 2019

"It could be," said Kutz, the 2018 Southeast Missourian Softball Player of the Year. "I think I've been getting better as the season goes by."

In a crowd populated mostly with Bulldogs fans, the visitors pounded out 14 hits, while the home squad committed seven errors.

By the fifth inning, with the game well in hand, Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett gave in to center fielder Riley Burger's plea to let her pitch.

"The last time I pitched I was 12," said Burger, a senior who had never been in the circle for Notre Dame.

"I was joking around with (Graviett) and he put me in."

In her mop-up role, Burger walked one and struck out the final Central hitter of the contest. Brittany Porter also worked the fifth inning for the victors.

Burger said you can't get carried away even in a game this one-sided.

"You can't take anybody lightly," Burger said, "whether it's 1-0 or 16-0."

Notre Dame is becoming used to putting up big numbers against opponents. In 24 games, the Bulldogs have scored in double digits 17 times.

Graviett said there is a way to keep the team focused even when the contest turns into a laugher.

"We talk about making (blowouts) a game within a game," Graviett said. "I try to keep our focus on the little things, still run the bases, still play defense, keep improving."

Notre Dame (20-4) has five games left on the schedule, but Graviett is clearly focused on the postseason.

"We're used to putting up final fours around here, but (we know) we can get beat in the first round of districts like we did last year," Graviett said.

The Bulldogs go home to play East Carter on Friday. Central (7-13) is at Poplar Bluff on Thursday.