Clermont, Fla. –  In game one of Thursday's double-header, the Notre Dame Falcons took down the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs, 4-1. In game two, pitching came up big again in a 1-0 victory over the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Mountain Cats.

Game 1

The Falcons (6-5 overall) have won three in a row, while the Mustangs (5-6 overall) have lost five straight.

The Falcons fell behind early, as Abbie Decker hit a lead-off home run to left field, in the bottom of the first inning. After that homer, Falcons' starting pitcher Taylor Olson settled down the rest of the game, allowing no runs and only five additional hits.

Notre Dame put a run on the board in the fifth inning. Amy Hoover singled and, with two outs, stole second base. Nicole Luciano had a single to right field, allowing Hoover to reach third and then the Falcons plated their first run on a Shelby Stephens RBI single.

With runners on first and third for the Falcons, in the top of the sixth inning, Sarah Depp came through with a single to right field, scoring a run. NDC went up 3-1, when Perris Stevens singled to score Erin Calhoun. To cap the three run inning, Shelby Stephens walked with bases loaded, scoring Perris Stevens.

For the Falcons, Olson (4-2) got the win by going seven innings, allowing one run and striking out six hitters. Vanadia and Hoover both had two hits in the game.

Decker and Kali Tomlinson had two hits, each, for Southwest Minnesota State. The Mustangs used three pitchers but the starting pitcher, Alex O'Connor, threw five innings, allowing two runs, one earned. Megan Cull (1-1) was given the loss after she gave up two runs, one earned, but did not record an out.

Game 2

The Falcons wrap-up their Florida trip with a record of 8-5. The loss for the Mountain Cats (3-2) snapped their two game winning streak.

The only run of the game came in the bottom of the first inning for the Falcons as Nicole Luciano led off with a single to center field. She moved to second on a groundout and went to third on Emily Kusmits' single. The run crossed the plate when Maria Vandia laced a single to center field.

Pitt-Johnstown came very close to scoring in the fifth inning before the Falcons pitchers shut them down. With one out, the Mountain Cats hit back-to-back singles before Marley Elbin reached on a fielder's choice. Everyone was safe on the play. With bases loaded Kusmits entered the circle for the starting pitcher, Rachelle Miller. Montana Mang then flew out to second base and Amanda O'Toole grounded into a fielder's choice and Elbin was out at second base.

In the pitching circle, Miller (1-2) picked up the win, going 4.1 innings, giving up five hits and striking out two hitters. Kusmits allowed one hit in 2.2 innings of work.

Melissa Wagner (2-1) was saddled with the loss for Pitt-Johnstown, allowing one run on five hits. Morgan Cannin recorded two hits.

The Falcons will open the home portion of their season with a double-header on March 16, taking on Saginaw Valley State at Normandy Field. First pitch, for game one, is scheduled for 3 p.m.