MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Notre Dame Falcons were no hit for the second time this season, as they fell twice on Tuesday afternoon to No. 23 (NAIA Coaches Poll) Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.), 7-0, 7-2. (Gm-1 | Gm-2)

Notre Dame (0-5) was the victim of Brandi Richards's no hitter in game one, marking the third time that they've been shut out on the young season, and the double header sweep marks the first time that NDC has started 0-5 since the 2000 season. The Lady Senators(12-0), used the double header sweep to improve their record to 4-0 at home on the year.

The Falcons were able to reach base several times in the opener, despite being no hit, but they were not able to take advantage of the four errors committed by AMU. Notre Dame left six runners on base in the contest.

The Lady Senators scored all of their runs in two innings. Shea Driggers belted a two run homer to put AMU on the board, and they scored two more runs in the second frame on #Christine Hutchison#'s error to give them a 4-0 lead. Richards brought in the first of three runs in the fifth inning by drawing a bases loaded walk, and a passed ball allowed Taylor Burt to score before Driggers brought in her third run of the game on a Sacrifice Fly to score the game's final run.

NDC brought their hitless streak to an end in the top of the second inning in game two when #Christine Kasidonis# singled to right center field. Notre Dame was able to draw first blood by scoring a couple of runs in the top of the third. #Felisha Jones# started the two run rally with a double to right center field and she scored when #Nicole Spehar# reached on a fielder's choice. Spehar touched home plate later in the inning when #Candace Shofar# reached on a fielder's choice.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, they were only able to record one hit after their two-run third inning and the Lady Senators took advantage. AMU answered NDC's two-run frame with five in the next half inning. A pair of Notre Dame errors allowed the first two runs to score and Richards highlighted the inning by hitting a three-run bomb.

Auburn-Montgomery added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jyssica Pepper belted a solo homer to bring in the first run, which was followed by Danielle Kirkpatrick's triple to center field. Kirkpatrick scored later in the inning on Rachel Stuart's groundout.

Richards (6-0) tossed all seven innings and walked two while fanning seven in her no hit bid in the opening contest to score the victory. Hutchison (0-2) allowed four runs, two earned on four hits over an inning and two thirds of the first game and suffered the loss. AMU's Courtney Baker (6-0) pitched all seven innings of the second game, and allowed just a pair of runs on four hits and struck out three in a winning effort, while #Meredith Harbarger# (0-2) endured the loss after allowing four runs, three earned on two hits over two innings.


The Falcons will be back in action on Wednesday, March 2, as they continue their trip down south, with a doubleheader against Spring Hill (Ala.). The first pitch in game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.

NOTES FROM THE NEST

MEET THE SENATORS: The University of Auburn-Montgomery is a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC). Founded in 1967, the main campus is located in Montgomery, Ala., and they have a current enrollment of 5,771. Last year, they went 38-16-1, and outscored their opponents, 298-135. In addition, they were notorious for catching fire early in games, outscoring the opposition, 105-37, over the first two innings. They also boasted one of the best ERA's in the country, at 1.98. The 2011 season marks their third in the history of the program.

SPRING NUMBERS: The Falcons are 0-5 so far on their trip down south, and they are hitting .138 (17-for-123) on the young season. Kasidonis is leading the Falcons with a .333 batting average (3-for-9) and Shofar is second with a .286 (4-for-14) batting average. Opposing teams are hitting .305 (36-for-118) over five games.