WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. – A two-run triple allowed Notre Dame College softball to get a win in game two and split their first conference double-header of the season against Wheeling Jesuit University, on Sunday afternoon. Wheeling Jesuit won game one by a score of 3-0 and NDC earned a 2-1 victory in game two.

In game one, the Falcons (5-10, 1-1 MEC) threatened early when junior Shelby Stephens walked to start the game, moved to second on a wild pitch and then touched third when junior Erin Calhoun hit an infield single. But, NDC could not score the run.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Cardinals' (5-12, 1-1 MEC) Cassie Holstein, who led off with a bunt single, scored the first run of the game after Stephens misplayed a ground ball off the bat of Courtney Rogers.

In the second inning, the Cardinals added another run, this time on a throwing error by the catcher, junior Nicole Luciano.

And WJU added their final run in the third inning. After a walk, a single and a walk loaded the bases with no outs, Victoria Scott earned a one out walk, scoring the third run of the game.

NDC didn't have many opportunities to score after the third inning, with Calhoun (2) and Stephens (1) being the only players in the lineup who got a hit. Sophomore Taylor Olson (2-5) took the loss in the contest after allowing three runs, one earned, in the pitching circle.

Hitters six through nine in the Cardinals lineup combined for six hits. Mallory Chapman (3-5) was the winning pitcher after throwing a complete game shutout and striking out nine hitters.

The second game was low scoring again, and Wheeling Jesuit got on the board in the third inning. An RBI single to left field by Rogers plated Holstein.

NDC responded in the top of the fourth inning, when Calhoun doubled with one out and then sophomore Kathryn Smith walked. Senior Amy Hoover had the biggest hit of the day, which was a two RBI triple to left-center.

Wheeling Jesuit almost tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, but Molly Welsh was out at home on a throw from Stephens, the second baseman.

Calhoun went 2-for-2 for Notre Dame, finishing the day going 4-for-5 at the plate. Freshman Mikayla Grajczyk gave up a run over three innings, but Olson (3-5) was the winning pitcher after going four, scoreless innings.

Holstein and Welsh, each, had two hits for the Cardinals. Erin Unterbrink (1-7) was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs in 3.1 innings.

"We really needed to dig deep after the first game and light a fire," said head coach Amy Kyler. "Together, they fought and played an all-around, great game in the second game, while picking each other up when needed."

The Falcons will stay in West Liberty, W. Va. to play West Liberty University on Monday, March 19. The double-header begins at 2 p.m.