Posts Tagged ‘Caitlin Bunte’
Interference call ends pitchers’ duel as Raiders outlast Warriors at softball slam
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 MoreQND softball team manufactures walk-off victory, completes season-opening sweep
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The next time Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne tells his team good things happen when you put pressure on the opposing defense, he has a prime example to use to back that up. The Raiders opened their season Friday afternoon with a 3-2 victory over East Dubuque in which they…
Read MoreBoyer joins Bunte to create formidable one-two punch for QND softball team’s pitching staff
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 MoreQND’s Bunte realizes ‘I really love this place’ as she commits to Indianapolis softball program
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 MoreBunte, Raiders sidestep postseason nemesis to win Class 2A regional championship
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 MoreAbility to hit speed and spin allows Raiders to move on to regional championship game
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 MoreContagious behavior results in another victory for Bunte, Raiders and season sweep of Blue Devils
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 MoreRaiders just bust a move to get offense rolling in home-opening victory against Eagles
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 MoreGrabbing lead two batters into season opener allows QND softball team to roll
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 MoreBundle of returning talent has QND softball players eyeing another deep postseason run
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 MoreUnwavering desire to be champions carries Illinois District 17 to Senior League World Series crown
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 MoreDistrict 17 all-stars on verge of World Series crown after pair of shutouts leads to title-game berth
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 MoreExtra-inning victory pushes Illinois District 17 softball squad to top of pool at World Series
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 MoreOffensive-minded Illinois District 17 pummels opposing pitching once again in World Series
ROXANA, Del. — The beat goes on. For the Illinois District 17 all-star softball team, it sounds a little something like this: Thump, thump, thumpity, thump. Caitlin Bunte doubled and tripled in her first two at-bats Tuesday, Ava Wombles smoked a home run to left field and the Land of Lincolners collected 13 hits in…
Read MoreIllinois District 17 all-stars dominate Central Region opener with Bunte striking out 13
BYRON CENTER, Mich. — The Illinois District 17 softball team is looking to make it back to the Senior League World Series. Monday, the all-stars took their first step — with authority. Quincy Notre Dame’s Caitlin Bunte struck out 13, Havana’s Kaydi Miller doubled twice and the Illinois squad beat the Johnston (Iowa) Senior All-Stars…
Read MoreMomentum-swinging plays send Raiders home with regional title and another chance to play at The Backyard
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 MoreQND softball team’s ability to battle and rally will serve it well in postseason
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 MorePerfect 10s: Raiders improve to 10-0 with 10-run rout of Cyclones behind Bunte’s no-hitter
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 MorePhoto gallery: QND softball team stays undefeated with five-inning victory over SHG
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 MoreBunte quiets QHS bats as QND softball team rolls to victory in crosstown showdown
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 MoreQND softball team capitalizes on scoring chances, Bunte powers Raiders to victory over Mustangs
MENDON, Ill. — Opportunistic or powerful describes the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s offense depending on the situation. In the first inning of Tuesday’s West Central Conference game against Unity, the Raiders seized the moment as Brooke Boden followed an error that put runners at the corners by stroking a two-run double to right field.…
Read MoreQND softball team ready to chase another regional title with potent lineup still intact
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…
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