Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3
GULF SHORES, Ala. -- The Notre Dame Falcons wrapped up their nine day trip down south, by going 1-2 at the Gulf Shores Invitational, with a victory over Bethel (Tenn.), and losses to Lee (Tenn.) and Faulkner (Ala.). (Gm-1 | Gm-2 | Gm-3)

Notre Dame (4-12) finished the spring trip with four victories, second most on a spring trip over their last four years.   

The Falcons held Bethel to just four hits in the opening contest of the day, getting a strong performance from Ashley Harbarger (2-4), while Candace Shofar delivered a pair of hits and Megan Turner drove in a pair of runs in NDC's 5-1 victory.  Kelsey Coleman's 3-for-4 performance in game two was not enough for NDC, as they came up with just a pair of runs on six hits in a 6-2 setback against Faulkner.  The Falcons were blanked in their final contest of the day, falling to Lee, 7-0.

Game One

Harbarger's fantastic performance highlighted the opening contest.  NDC and Bethel were scoreless after three and a half innings, until the Falcons scored a trio of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Christine Kasidonis began the rally with a one out base hit, and scored the game's first run on Nicole Spehar's bunt single.  Notre Dame had runners at first and third with one away, when they executed a double steal, with Christine Camp taking second, and Spehar stealing home to make it a 2-0 lead, and Turner drove in the final run of the inning on a two-bagger to right center. 

Alex Weatherly began the top of the sixth inning with a base hit, and scored Bethel's lone run a few moments later when Lindsey Costello drove her in with a run scoring single.

NDC answered with a pair of runs in the home half of the sixth.  Kasidonis began the rally with a base hit, and Maria Ulisses took her place on the bases.  Camp came up with two runners on, and belted a base hit to plate both Ulisses and Nicole Schmetzer.  

Harbarger went the distance for the Falcons, earning the victory after allowing just a run on four hits and fanned five in the process. 

Game Two

Faulkner and NDC were both busy in the first inning, with the two teams combining to score five runs.  The Eagles struck first with three runs in the top of the first inning.  Missy Duke smacked an RBI single to plate the first run of the inning, Jessi Palmer then reached on a fielder's choice which brought the second run, and Aver Mott reached on Coleman's error, which scored the third run. 

Notre Dame answered with a pair in the home half of the inning.  Coleman stroked a one out single to left field, and Erin Byrd had trouble handling the ball, which allowed Shofar to score.  Kasidonis then belted an infield single, which brought Coleman home. 

NDC was held to just four hits the rest of the way, while the Eagles added three more runs.  Heather Smith hit a solo homer in the top of the third inning, and Faulkner added two more in the fifth on RBI singles from Tori Hollis and Rachel Reiswig.

Faulkner's Missy Duke went the distance and allowed just two runs on seven hits while striking out seven to earn the victory.  Harbarger suffered the loss, surrendering six runs on six hits over four and two-thirds.

Game Three

The Falcons ran out of gas in nightcap against Lee.  The Flames, at 18-4, were one of the finest teams in the tournament, and flexed their muscle with a convincing, 7-0 victory. 

Notre Dame scattered five hits in the contest, getting base knocks from Turner, Shofar, Jones, Spehar and Carmean. 

Lee took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, when Dominique Hanna stroked an RBI single, which was her first of four hits in the contest. 

The Flames broke things open with a four run fourth inning.  Hannah struck again with a run scoring double to left field, before Kelsey Barnes hit a bases loaded double to plate two more runs, and Charlie Wooden knocked in the final run of the inning on an RBI single. 

Two more runs came across for the Flames in the seventh, on Wooden's one-out double to right center field.

Ashley Hall (1-6) took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits over three and a third, while fanning two in the process.  Brittany Balough (11-0) scored the victory for the Flames tossing five scoreless innings of four hit ball.

Shofar led the way for NDC offensively on the day with four hits, going 4-for-11.  Coleman, Kasidonis and Turner all had three hits on the day.  Turner led NDC during the spring trip with 17 hits, two for extra bases, and is hitting .354 on the season.


The Falcons will head home, and are off until they play their home opener, on Saturday, March 17.  The Falcons will welcome Ashland to Campus Field for a twin bill, which will begin at 1 PM.        

NOTES FROM THE NEST …

TOURNAMENT TID-BITS: The Gulf Shores Invitational included a talented field of 23 teams, split into four different pools.  Most of the teams in the tournament participated in the 2011 NAIA National Championship Tournament.      

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY: The Falcons have an overall record of 16-39 over their last four seasons on their trips down south.  Their finest mark during one of those trips, came back in 2010, when they went 6-11.  NDC went 2-10 in a rain shortened trip during spring break to start the 2011 season.