WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. –  Notre Dame College softball splits their double-header with West Liberty University on Monday afternoon. NDC was strong offensively in the first game, winning 7-3. WLU won in the bottom of the seventh inning, 2-1, in game two.

In game one, the Falcons (6-11, 2-2 MEC) jumped on the board early. Junior Shelby Stephens led off with a single and freshman Katelyn Rheude laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Stephens into scoring position. Freshman Kim Crookston and junior Erin Calhoun hit back-to-back singles, plating one run. Seniors Amy Hoover and Myranda Rowland also had RBI singles in the inning and sophomore Kathryn Smith had an RBI groundout. Stephens came back up with bases loaded, as the Falcons batted around the order. She singled up the middle bringing home the fifth run of the inning.

After WLU (8-6, 2-2 MEC) gave Notre Dame a scare by scoring three runs in the sixth inning, the Falcons responded in the seventh. Hoover hit a double and Smith singled. Pinch-hitter, sophomore Ariel Linberger singled to bring home two more runs, making the score 7-3.

Sophomore Taylor Olson (4-5) was the winning pitcher for Notre Dame after going 6.2 innings in the pitcher's circle. She allowed two unearned runs and struck out four hitters. Stephens, Crookston and Hoover all had two hits. Rowland finished with three hits. Hitters four through six brought home three of the Falcons' seven runs.

The Hilltoppers were held to three hits with Kate Meloun, Kelsi Johnson and Allie Cook all accumulating one hit. Megan Bosley (0-2) took the loss after she could not get out of the first inning, going 2/3 of an inning and allowing five runs on five hits. Taylor Wright helped WLU by going 5.1 innings and allowing just one run.

In game two, the first run came in the fourth inning when Hoover scored all the way from first base on a throwing error by second baseman, Conner Assif.

Sydney Bennington knocked in the tying run with a single in the fifth inning. In the seventh inning, West Liberty won the game when Katie Beeman scored on a wild pitch.

Hoover finished the game going 2-for-3 at the plate and went 4-for-7 on the day. Freshman McKenzie Zigmont (0-2) allowed two runs, one earned, but took the loss.

Makenzie Amend (5-1) was the winning pitcher, allowing one run over seven innings, and striking out six for WLU. Beeman added three hits and two runs scored while Kelly Mullins went 2-for-3.

"Well, we had fire in the first game but couldn't keep a flame in the second," head coach Amy Kyler mentioned. "Needless to say, Olson and Zigmont did a great job pitching, but our offense didn't stay consistent in the second game."

Notre Dame will travel to Painesville, Ohio to play Lake Erie College on March 22. The double-header is expected to begin at 3 p.m.