SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Notre Dame College used good pitching and mistakes by Shepherd University in their sweep of the Rams on Monday afternoon. NDC won game one 3-1 and then took game two by a score of 4-3.
 
In the first game, Notre Dame (8-13, 4-4 MEC) and Shepherd (12-6, 5-3 MEC) were locked in a pitcher's duel in the first three innings of the game.
 
NDC plated the first runs of the game in the top of the fourth. Freshman Katelyn Rheude and junior Shelby Stephens started the inning with singles and moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt. Shepherd then helped the Falcons with two errors on one play which allowed both runners to score and freshman Kim Crookston went all the way to third base. Crookston then scored on a wild pitch.
 
The only Shepherd run came in the fifth inning when Molly Staley was hit by a pitch with bases loaded.
 
Rheude went 3-for-3 in the batter's box and freshman McKenzie Zigmont (3-2) got the win as she struck out six while pitching a complete game for Notre Dame.
 
Kaitlin Munda (3-3) picked up the loss, going 4 2/3 innings, striking out seven batters and allowing three runs, none of them earned.
 
NDC took the first lead in the second game, as well. Crookston reached on an error, which scored a run. And junior Erin Calhoun knocked in the second run of the inning, with a single.
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning, an RBI triple by Lori Sturgill cut the Notre Dame lead to one run, 2-1. The Rams then scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Alexis Shearer reached on a fielder's choice and grabbed an RBI to tie the game. Staley hit a sacrifice fly with runners on second and third, giving SU their first lead of the day, 3-2.
 
The Falcons came back in their final at bat. With two outs, Kathryn Smith singled and then senior Nicole Paolucci hit a ball that dropped into right field. She ran to third base on an error by the right fielder and a run scored on the play. Junior Halli Swiger hit a single up the middle, scoring Paolucci, giving the Falcons a 4-3 lead.
 
"They played solid defense and had solid pitching," head coach Amy Kyler said. "Hitters took advantage of some errors in the first game and they made adjustments while up to bat in the second game. They played like the team they are."
 
For Notre Dame, six players had a hit. Sophomore Taylor Olson (5-6) was given the win after going 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing two runs.
 
Leann Brown recorded two hits for Shepherd and Sturgill (5-3) pitched a strong game, but was saddled with the loss. She allowed four runs, one earned, and stuck out eight.
 
The Falcons will play Glenville State University in Glenville, W.Va. on March 30. The double-header is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.