AVON, Ohio – Freshman pitcher Tyler Gault highlighted Sunday's games for the Notre Dame College baseball team as he was one out away from a perfect game in his second win of the season.
 
In game one against West Virginia State, the Falcons played one of their best defensive games of the year as all 21 outs were earned by plays made in the field. Gault gave credit to the fielders behind his win after he went 6.2 innings without giving up a hit or a walk.
 
"My job is to not walk people and keep them off balance," Gault said. "I didn't strike anybody out. I think nearly everyone in the field had a put out. The defense was there and I owe it to them mostly. I'm just a freshman and this is only my second conference start so to get support like that is great. Austin Barnhardt had a really good play and TJ [Lett] came up big on a diving stop."
 
Offensively, Zach Santoro, TJ Lett and Robert Williams each drove in a run in the first, third and fourth innings, respectively to result in the 3-0 victory. Gault knew at the end of the game that the win was what mattered and was grateful he could help the team.
 
"We won and that was a much needed W for us no matter how we got there," Gault said.
 
Head coach Len Barker gave some deserved credit to the first year right hander after he helped the team break a 12-game skid.
 
"He's been excellent for us all year and kept us in games," Barker said. "That game was phenomenal. He doesn't act like a freshman; he acts like he's been out there forever."
 
In game two West Virginia State came out on top with a score of 8-6, but the Falcons nearly mounted a comeback scoring five runs in the seventh inning to make it a one run game a 7-6.
 
In both games, bats came up big in clutch situations. In the five-run inning, all of the runs were brought in with two outs on the board. Eight of the nine runs scored by NDC against WVSU were done so after the first two outs had been recorded.
 
Despite falling in the second game it was a good day for the Falcons as they played with high energy and cut back on mental mistakes that had hindered them earlier in the season.
 
"It was major to finally get a win and comeback in the second game to almost get a second win," Barker said. "The guys are getting it in their heads that they can win games and compete against good teams. Our defense played great today with only one small mistake, but overall it was two good performances."
 
Notre Dame will be back in action on Tuesday, March 28 when the team visits Mercyhurst for a single game at 2 p.m. The Falcons will then return home on Friday, March 31 for a doubleheader against West Virginia Wesleyan starting at 1 p.m.