Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BUCKANNON, W.Va. -- Jake Welch was nearly perfect in game two of Saturday afternoon's double header against West Virginia Wesleyan, and Jared Clovis drove in three runs, as the Falcons came away with a split against the Bobcats. (Game 1 | Game 2)

The Falcons (6-7) fell in the opening contest to the Bobcats (3-4), 2-1, after surrendering a pair of runs in the sixth inning, before Welch took control in game two to go the distance in what was a 4-0 NDC victory.

Game One
Notre Dame scored their lone run in the first contest in the top of the fifth inning. Danny Beaver began the inning with a leadoff single, and stole second before advancing on a base hit from Travis Smetana.  Ryan Sanders drove him home moments later on a sacrifice fly to snap a scoreless tie.

Matt Kastelic (1-3) was outstanding through the first five innings of action, and had retired 12 consecutive batters until the top of the Bobcat batting order spoiled the fun with three consecutive singles. A pinch hit RBI single scored the first run of the contest for WV Wesleyan, and Michael Logsdon brought in the eventual game winner moments later on a sacrifice fly.

Smetana paced the NDC offense in game one, reaching all four times up, going 2-for-2 with a pair of base hits and a couple of walks.

Kastelic took the hard luck loss in the opener, tossing a complete game, and allowed just the two runs on six hits while fanning three along the way. 

Game Two:
NDC scored a 4-0 victory in game two on the strength of a dominant pitching performance from Welch (3-1).  He tossed seven scoreless innings in a winning effort, allowed just a pair of hits, and struck out six along the way.  He was through the first five innings, retiring the first 15 batters of the contest, until surrendering a leadoff double to Colin Gotham in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

Notre Dame scored their four runs on the strength of 10 hits, including three for extra bases.  Smetana started game two with a free pass, and Jake Courtot followed with a base hit.  Smetana stole third base and came home on Keifer Quick's sac fly.

Smetana was the firestarter for the Falcons again in the top of the fourth inning.  He reached on an error to start the inning, and made his way to third on a double from Sanders.  The Falcons had runners on second and third with two outs, when Jared Clovis delivered a clutch, two out single through the left side to plate two more runs.

Clovis delivered a little two out thunder for the Falcons again in the top of the seventh to provide some insurance. Quick smacked a two-out double to the gap in right center field, and Clovis brought him home moments later on run scoring single to center.

NDC's 3,4 and 5 hitters, Sanders, Quick and Clovis each turned in two-hit performances in game two to pace the Notre Dame offense.  Clovis cleaned up, knocking in three of NDC's four runs in a 2-for-4 performance at the dish. 

The Falcons will wrap up the weekend series with the Bobcats on Sunday, March 16, with another double header in Buckannon, W.Va.  The first pitch in game one will be delivered at 1 p.m.