EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame split with Mount Vernon Nazarene on Saturday to earn a 3-1 win in the key four-game American Mideast Conference series. The Falcons lost the opener Saturday, 8-5, and then bounced back for a 17-8 victory in game two. (Gm-1 | Gm-2)

Notre Dame (23-12, 10-6 AMC) batters reached base 23 times in the nightcap in totaling their second-most runs in a single game this year. First baseman #Benji Jarabeck# went 6-for-9, with four RBIs on the day to pace a Falcon attack that has found a groove over the last week. In the four-game series against the Cougars (17-13, 3-5), Jarabeck collected nine hits, nine RBIs and his second home run of the season. In 32 games this season, the Painesville, Ohio, native is now batting .343 (36-for-105), and he has knocked in runs in six straight games.

Over its last seven games, NDC is batting .425/.479/.628 (on-base/batting/slugging) as a team.

On Saturday, the Falcons outhit the Cougars, 12-10, in the opener, but four NDC errors lead to four unearned runs for MVNU, which came into the series as a middle-of-pack contender in the early-season AMC standings. Jarabeck and shortstop #Travis Brown# each had three hits in the first game.

In game two, Notre Dame got a lead-off man aboard in five of six offensive frames. The Falcons reached base a whopping 26 times, via 18 hits, six walks and three hit batsmen. Jarabeck had three hits, as did #Jesse Bartle# and #Pat Ross#. Two of Bartle's hits were doubles, and one of Pat Ross' base hits was a home run. #Tony Younis# also homered in the game; his was a grand slam as part of an eight-run sixth inning that put an otherwise close game out of reach.

By taking three of four from Mount Vernon, the Falcons moved into third place in the AMC standings. Through Saturday's games, three teams are above .500 in league play -- Shawnee State (8-0), Malone (9-3) and NDC (10-6). The Falcons will close out conference play with four games apiece against the Bears and Pioneers (vs. SSU May 1-2, vs. Malone April 15, 17)


NOTES FROM THE NEST …

BASEBALL'S BEST: The Falcons' 23rd win of the season, earned in game two on Saturday, marks a new program-best. NDC's previous high of 22 wins was set in 2008, when the Blue & White went 22-24. … Notre Dame's offense is on pace to set a number of program records, including highest OPS (on-base plus slugging, .862), on-base percentage (.413), slugging percentage (.449) and batting average (.333). NDC is also on pace to break program records for runs scored, hits, home runs and total bases. … On the mound, the Falcons are on track for posting a new NDC record for strikeouts. … One problem area for the Falcons has been defense -- NDC is on pace to flirt with the record 116 errors committed in 2009. The team has made 83 errors, leading to 60 unearned runs through 35 games.

SWEET 16: Junior Tony Younis has been swing a hot bat for the Falcons. Over his last 16 games (since Marc 23), Younis is batting .407 (24-for-59), with four home runs, 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored. … For the season, Younis is hitting .328/.378/.475. His 30 RBIs have him tied for the team lead, with Benji Jarbeck.
TANK ATTACK: NDC has now played 13 home games in 2010. The Falcons are 9-4 in those games, despite being outscored by their opponents, 112-107. … The Blue & White own a blistering .950 OPS at home. Falcon hurlers, however, appear to be more comfortable on the road -- they sport a 6.59 ERA at home compared to a 4.82 mark on the road and in neutral-site games.