Box Score BECKLEY, W.Va. – The 2015 season came to an end for the Notre Dame Falcons on Saturday afternoon, as they were eliminated from the Mountain East Conference Tournament, after falling to West Virginia State, 7-0.
The Falcons (25-19) had a great year, despite the loss that brought the season to a close. The loss was their second in as many days in the double elimination tournament, and it leaves only three teams, WV State, Concord and top seeded Shepherd left.
It was a scoreless contest for the first four innings of action, until the Yellow Jackets plated a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Jamis Jones smashed a two-run double to left center field on an 0-2 pitch to give WVSU a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Phil Mandt ripped a two-run homer down the line in left to make it a 4-0 Yellow Jackets lead, and Trent Porter stroked a run scoring double in the top of the seventh.
Notre Dame surrendered the final two runs of the contest in the top of the ninth. Anthony Payne stroked a RBI double and an errant throw allowed the last run to score.
Notre Dame had seven hits in the contest, but went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, and could not capitalize on their opportunities.
Danny Beaver paced the Falcons offensively, going 2-for-3, with a pair of walks as well.
Zack LaRocca (5-4) allowed five runs on 10 hits over seven innings of action, and fanned three but took the loss.
Notre Dame finished the year with a record of 25-19, after going 27-22 the previous season, marking the first time that they've posted back-to-back winning seasons since the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
