WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Notre Dame College had played extra-inning games in three of their previous seven contests, and on Monday afternoon, they lost game one, 2-1, and won game two, 2-0, in extra-innings.
The Falcons (9-8, 1-3 MEC) snapped their three game losing streak by winning the final game of the day, and got their first conference victory. The Hilltoppers (6-6, 2-2 MEC) were shut out for only the second time this season. Monday's games were their first extra-inning games this year.
Game 1
Notre Dame scored the first run of the game in the fourth inning. The Falcons' starting pitcher,
Rachelle Miller, helped her team out offensively, as she led off with a double to left center.
Maria Vanadia then hammered a one out double to left center, scoring Miller. Vanadia was stranded at third base after the Falcons failed to plate a second run.
The Hilltoppers took the momentum in the sixth inning. Sydney Bennington doubled to start the inning and Miller was removed for the relief pitcher,
Emily Kusmits. Bennington advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt and then scored on a two out single by Samantha Kilbane, tying the game.
NDC was unsuccessful in scoring a run in the top of the eighth inning, stranding runners on first and second. West Liberty took advantage and scored the winning run in the bottom of the inning, as Savannah Sieger scored from third on an error by shortstop
Halli Swiger.
Miller went 3-for-4, with a double, at the plate and threw five innings, allowing one run in the pitcher's circle for NDC. Kusmits (3-3) took the loss as she gave up an unearned run on two hits.
For West Liberty, Sieger (4-0) went all eight innings, allowing only one run and struck out two hitters. She was awarded the win.
Game 2
The Falcons and Hilltoppers were locked in a pitcher's duel for the first seven innings of the contest.
Taylor Olson (5-3) started the game in the pitcher's circle for Notre Dame and threw seven scoreless innings, while Linda Hall and Megan Bosley combined to throw 6.2 scoreless innings for West Liberty.
NDC scored the first run of the game as the two teams went into extra-innings again. In the top of the eighth inning, with
Rachelle Miller on second base,
Maria Vanadia hit her first home run of the season, putting the Falcons up, 2-0.
West Liberty, who was held to three hits for the game, went down in order in the bottom of the eighth.
Olson picked up the win for Notre Dame as she went the distance for the shutout, which included retiring the first seven batters that she faced. She gave up only three hits and struck out four Hilltoppers. Vanadia and
Amy Hoover both had a multi-hit game.
For WLU, Taylor Wright (1-2) was given the loss after she gave up two runs in 1.1 innings of action.
The Falcons will travel to Ashland University to battle the Eagles for a double-header, on March 23. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
