One strike from victory, Raiders give up tying and winning runs in bottom of seventh at Piasa

Morgan Zanger, shown taking a swing during an. April 14 game against Pittsfield, had two hits against Piasa Southwestern on Thursday. | MRN file photo by Shane Hulsey

PIASA, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls softball team was one strike from victory, but a two-out two-strike RBI single tied the score and another RBI single drove home the winning run for Piasa Southwestern in an 8-7 victory on Thursday afternoon. The Raiders led 7-5 entering the bottom of the seventh. Reliever Caitlin…

Read More

Boyer slugs homer, earns victory in circle as QND extends softball win streak over QHS to 11 games

Quincy Notre Dame catcher Lauren Miller prepares to throw out Quincy High School runner Ariana Adorno, who laid down a sacrifice bunt in the first inning during Wednesday night's softball game at Avenue of Saints Field. Adorno's sacrifice bunt helped the Blue Devils take an early 1-0 lead, but Notre Dame rallied for a 6-2 victory. | David Adam

QUINCY — Understandably, Madalyn Boyer needed a few moments to decide what was more enjoyable. The Quincy Notre Dame right-hander was the winning pitcher — with excellent relief help from Caitlin Bunte — and also socked her first home run of the season during the Raiders’ 6-2 victory over rival Quincy High School in a Wednesday…

Read More

Opportunity knocks, and freshman pinch-hitter answers to help QND softball rally at Pittsfield

Quincy Notre Dame freshman Cadence Smith stands at second base after her go-ahead double in the fourth inning of Monday's softball game against Pittsfield at Vic Callender Field. | Shane Hulsey

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame freshman Cadence Smith knew her opportunity would come, and she made the most of it. The QND softball team was trailing Pittsfield 4-2 with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the fourth on Monday when Smith came off the bench to hit for Ellie Miller…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Bunte’s amazing offensive streak continues for Raiders

Caitlin Bunte connects for a two-run home run in the third inning of Monday night's softball game between Quincy Notre Dame and Pittsfield. | Shane Hulsey

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Caitlin Bunte went 2 for 3 with a two-run home run in the third inning and scored three runs in Quincy Notre Dame’s 10-4 victory over Pittsfield in a prep softball game on Monday night. In the last eight games dating back to April 5, Bunte has gone 15 for 22 with…

Read More

Bunte has five hits, seven RBIs in first game as QND softball splits with Bloomington Central Catholic

Quincy Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte takes a swing during Friday's game against Calhoun. | MRN file photo by Shane Hulsey

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Caitlin Bunte had the game of dreams on Saturday. The Quincy Notre Dame senior and University of Indianapolis commit went 5 for 6 with seven RBIs and hit for the cycle in the Raiders’ 15-4 victory over Bloomington Central Catholic in the first game of a doubleheader. Bunte got the home run…

Read More

Bunte atones for first-inning mistake, goes 4 for 4 in QND softball team’s home victory

Quincy Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte celebrates after hitting a double in the sixth inning of Friday's game at The Backyard. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Caitlin Bunte did not let a first-inning error deter her and instead used it as motivation. Two batters into the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s game against Triopia on Friday, Raiders third baseman Josie Boyer fielded a ground ball off the bat of Addilynn Tracy. Bunte dropped Boyer’s throw to first, allowing Tracy…

Read More

Interference call ends pitchers’ duel as Raiders outlast Warriors at softball slam

Quincy Notre Dame senior pitcher Caitlin Bunte delivers a pitch during Saturday's game against Hardin Calhoun at The Backyard. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Whether the play was savvy, lucky or both, Alyssa Ley’s instincts paid off. With the bases loaded, two outs and the Quincy Notre Dame softball team leading Hardin Calhoun 1-0 in the top of the seventh inning Saturday, Ley ranged to her left from her shortstop position to field a ground ball off…

Read More

Boyer joins Bunte to create formidable one-two punch for QND softball team’s pitching staff

Madalyn Boyer, a senior who transferred to Quincy Notre Dame from Illini West last summer, will provide the QND softball team with depth in the pitching circle. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Madalyn Boyer used to fear facing Caitlin Bunte. “I’ve always struggled hitting off of her,” Boyer said. “Everybody struggles hitting off of her.” Now there is no need to fear.  Boyer, a senior pitcher and third baseman who transferred from Illini West to Quincy Notre Dame prior to this school year, will combine…

Read More

QND’s Bunte realizes ‘I really love this place’ as she commits to Indianapolis softball program

Quincy Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte, a two-time all-state selection, committed to the University of Indianapolis, which was an NCAA Division II national semifinalist last season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As the recruiting process began to evolve, Caitlin Bunte realized there was more to think about than softball alone. “I looked past that at the beginning,” the Quincy Notre Dame softball standout said. “I was like, ‘I want to play softball. I want to find somewhere where I can step in and play.’…

Read More

Bunte, Raiders sidestep postseason nemesis to win Class 2A regional championship

The Quincy Notre Dame softball players celebrate as Brooke Boden holds the Class 2A regional championship plaque following Saturday's 3-1 victory over Buffalo Tri-City in Buffalo, Ill. | Addi Zanger photo

BUFFALO, Ill. — Even the most seasoned competitor can feel the pressure when a postseason nemesis stares you in the face. So Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne reminded junior ace Caitlin Bunte to just breathe as the Raiders headed into Saturday’s Class 2A regional championship game against Buffalo Tri-City. “I was telling Coach…

Read More

Ability to hit speed and spin allows Raiders to move on to regional championship game

Quincy Notre Dame catcher Payton Stupavsky throws the ball back to pitcher Caitlin Bunte during Tuesday's 8-0 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in the Class 2A Buffalo Tri-City Regional semifinals in Buffalo, Ill. | Addi Zanger photo

BUFFALO, Ill. — The late-season schedule Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne puts together is done by design. He wants the Raiders to see elite pitching so they’re prepared to face it in the postseason. The strategy paid off Tuesday. Second-seeded QND knocked out Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, collecting nine hits with three doubles in…

Read More

Contagious behavior results in another victory for Bunte, Raiders and season sweep of Blue Devils

Quincy Notre Dame first baseman Morgan Zanger stretches to get the throw and force out Quincy High School's Ivy Winter during Monday night's game at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The word Caitlin Bunte sought to describe the manner in which the Quincy Notre Dame softball team is stringing victories together popped in her head in the middle of her answer. “Oh, contagious,” she said. “That’s it.” Winning is contagious. Hitting is contagious. Energy is contagious. “We have so many leaders who like…

Read More

Raiders just bust a move to get offense rolling in home-opening victory against Eagles

From left, Quincy Notre Dame's Brooke Boden, Lanie Fesler and Caitlin Bunte high-five each other before an inning during Thursday's game against Liberty at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — One of Caitlin Bunte’s responsibilities, aside from being the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s starting pitcher and leadoff hitter, is to choose the musical playlist that serves as the soundtrack for each game at The Backyard. She has four personally designed playlists at her disposal. “Stuff that gets me hyped, stuff that’s upbeat…

Read More

Grabbing lead two batters into season opener allows QND softball team to roll

Quincy Notre Dame catcher Payton Stupavsky went 3 for 3 in Thursday's season-opening 8-0 victory over Southeastern at Bowen, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

BOWEN, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team gave Caitlin Bunte all the support she’d need before she ever stepped in the pitcher’s circle. The Raiders scored three runs in the top of the first inning Thursday and Bunte allowed just two hits as they opened the season with an 8-0 victory over Southeastern.…

Read More

Bundle of returning talent has QND softball players eyeing another deep postseason run

The return of senior third baseman Brooke Boden, who will also pitch, gives the Quincy Notre Dame softball team a bonafide leader in pursuit of another shot at a Class 2A state tournament appearance. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Brooke Boden hasn’t forgotten just how close the Quincy Notre Dame softball team came to winning a state trophy last season. “I’ll be sitting in class and I’ll be like, ‘Oh, man,’” the senior third baseman said. “I just look back on it and think, ‘Wow, we were there.’” The Raiders’ epic postseason…

Read More

Unwavering desire to be champions carries Illinois District 17 to Senior League World Series crown

The Illinois District 17 softball players celebrate winning the Senior League Softball World Series championship Sunday night with a 5-4 victory over Texas in Roxana, Del. | Photo courtesy Tina Bunte

ROXANA, Del. — The Illinois District 17 softball team never flinched. Twice during Sunday’s Senior League World Series championship game, the team from Little River-Academy, Texas, erased one-run deficits, only to see Illinois regain the lead each time. Then, in the eighth inning of a tie game, Texas put two runners in scoring position with…

Read More

District 17 all-stars on verge of World Series crown after pair of shutouts leads to title-game berth

Quincy Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte delivers a pitch during action at the Senior League World Series in Roxana, Del. | Photo courtesy Tina Bunte

ROXANA, Del. — One more to glory. The Illinois District 17 softball team, composed of players throughout West-Central and Central Illinois, is one victory away from a Senior League World Series championship. A fitting winner-take-all finale will decide it. The Land of Lincolners will face the Southwest Region champions from Texas at 6 p.m. Sunday…

Read More

Extra-inning victory pushes Illinois District 17 softball squad to top of pool at World Series

The Illinois District 17 softball team poses for a picture before a game during the Senior League World Series in Roxana, Del. | Submitted photo

ROXANA, Del. — One miscue won’t derail the Illinois District 17 softball team’s mission to win a World Series title. Leading Calgary, Alberta, by two runs in the sixth inning Wednesday at Lyons Field, the Land of Lincolners allowed two unearned runs as a fielding error contributed to the Canadian uprising. A pickoff ended the…

Read More

Momentum-swinging plays send Raiders home with regional title and another chance to play at The Backyard

The Quincy Notre Dame softball team won the Class 2A Canton Regional championship Friday night with a 10-0 victory over Canton. | Submitted photo

CANTON, Ill. — Caitlin Bunte needed one pitch to erase a threat and one swing to start an onslaught.  It all took place in a matter of minutes. “It’s what she’s done all year long. She made great adjustments in the circle and then comes up and hits a blast,” Quincy Notre Dame softball coach…

Read More

QND softball team’s ability to battle and rally will serve it well in postseason

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Caitlin Bunte connects on one of her two home runs during Saturday's game against Tolono Unity at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne isn’t shying away from putting the Quincy Notre Dame softball team in high-leverage situations before the postseason arrives. “These are championship Saturdays for us,” the veteran skipper said after the Raiders suffered a 7-6 loss to Tolono Unity on Saturday at The Backyard. “These are the kind of teams and the…

Read More

Perfect 10s: Raiders improve to 10-0 with 10-run rout of Cyclones behind Bunte’s no-hitter

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore left-hander Caitlin Bunte delivers a pitch during Monday's game against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Caitlin Bunte didn’t expect a blustery wind blowing straight out to center field Monday afternoon to alter anything she needed to do in the pitcher’s circle. “If I’m hitting my spots, even with the wind blowing, I knew we’d be fine,” she said. Then the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s left-handed hurler saw…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND softball team stays undefeated with five-inning victory over SHG

Quincy Notre Dame third baseman Brooke Boden connects and drives the ball during Monday's game against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Caitlin Bunte was unhittable in the circle and unstoppable at the plate. The Quincy Notre Dame sophomore tossed a five-inning no-hitter in leading the QND softball team to a 10-0 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin on Monday at The Backyard. Bunte also belted two home runs as the Raiders improved to 10-0. Muddy…

Read More

Bunte quiets QHS bats as QND softball team rolls to victory in crosstown showdown

The Quincy Notre Dame infielders get ready to give the ball to pitcher Caitlin Bunte, second from left, before the fifth inning of Wednesday night's game against Quincy High School at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne’s assessment was equally accurate and understated. “Caitlin does a lot of things for us,” the Quincy Notre Dame softball coach said. Orne was complimenting the Raiders’ left-handed ace, Caitlin Bunte, who had just dominated rival Quincy High School with a strong effort both on the mound and at bat. Bunte pitched…

Read More

QND softball team ready to chase another regional title with potent lineup still intact

Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne, right, is entering his 26th season at the helm, and he will have an experienced senior class featuring Laela Hernandez-Jones, left. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne says the Quincy Notre Dame softball team is more interested in the long haul, rather than immediate dividends. “We hope to be playing our best ball in May,” said Orne, beginning his 26th campaign as QND’s head coach. “We’ve got a strong schedule designed to help us get ready for the…

Read More