CANTON, Ohio – The Notre Dame Falcons saw their seven game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday afternoon, as they split a doubleheader with Malone, taking game one, 3-1, but fell in a slugfest by the final of 9-8 in game two. (Gm-1) | (Gm-2)

The Falcons (17-20, 8-4) have won seven of their last eight to turn their season around, after losing five out of their previous six. Malone (7-13, 7-5) has now lost six out of their last eight games, after winning six in a row. With six conference games remaining, the Falcons are in second place in the American Mideast Conference, and in a good position to make the post season.

#Christina Hutchison# (5-5) tossed a complete game in the first contest, and allowed just a run on five hits while striking out two to snag her fifth victory of the season. The Falcons were able to score their three runs very early in the contest. In the first inning, after #Candace Shofar#'s one out single, #Charisse Colston# belted her fifth triple of the season to score Shofar, and Colston scored a few moments later on a throwing error. The Falcons plated their final run of the game on #Mallory Harder#'s single to center field which scored #Ashley Harbarger#.

Notre Dame's offense went to work again in game two, and scored eight times on 13 hits. They scored in every inning except the first and third. #Melissa Dykes# had three hits in the contest, her first was a double in the second inning which brought #Felisha Jones# home. Dykes touched home plate a few moments later on Harder's base hit, her first of three hits in the game.

Shortly thereafter, the Pioneers ended Harbarger's 23 inning scoreless streak, when they took their first lead of the evening by posting three runs in the third. Notre Dame would tie the game in the fourth inning on Shofar's groundout which plated #Michelle Dykes#, and the Falcons went up 6-3, by scoring a trio of runs in the fifth inning. Harbarger helped herself by belting a run scoring triple to right field, and scored on Michelle Dykes's single. Dykes scored on her sister's two out base knock later in the inning.

The Pioneers took the lead for good with a huge five run fifth. Malone scored all five of their runs with two outs, getting a pair of runs on a single, and three more on a homerun. An error in the top of the sixth inning brought in another one for the Falcons, and they added one more in the seventh inning as Melissa Dykes singled to score Harder. The game ended with the tying run at first base.

Harbarger (6-3) was hit with the loss in game two after allowing nine runs on nine hits over five and a third. The reigning AMC pitcher of the week had her 23 inning scoreless streak snapped, and lost her first game since March 5. The Akron, Ohio, native has gone five innings or more in her last four appearances.

The Falcons out-hit the Pioneers 24-14 during the double dip. Melissa Dykes led the way for Notre Dame with a 5-for-9 performance, and drove in a pair of runs. Harder went 3-for-3 in game two, and turned in a 4-for-7 performance in the twin bill, giving her 53 hits on the season. Catcher #Nicole Spehar# had three hits on the evening, hitting safely in both games to extend her hitting streak to 15 games, which is a team high this season.

The Falcons will be back in action on Wednesday, April 21, when they play host to Cedarville at Campus Field. The first pitch in game one of the American Mideast Conference doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m.

NOTES FROM THE NEST

RUNNING WILD: The Falcons entered Tuesday's contest as the conference leaders in runs scored with 208. Colston is the AMC leader in runs scored with 42, and the sophomore from Oakwood Village, Ohio also leads the conference in triples with five.

LEADING THE WAY: Leadoff hitter Mallory Harder entered Tuesday's twin bill as the conference leader in hits with 49. Harder is also second in the conference with five homeruns.