CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Notre Dame College scored all their runs in the first inning of game one against the University of Charleston, losing 5-2. The Falcons then turned it around, behind a great pitching performance in game two, winning 4-1, on Friday evening.
 
In the first game, NDC (11-24, 7-13 MEC) plated two runs on a two-run single by sophomore Kathryn Smith, scoring junior Nicole Luciano from second base and senior Myranda Rowland from third.
 
With bases loaded for Charleston (22-17, 7-12 MEC), Kendal Marshall reached base on an error in the bottom of the first. Two runs scored and Emily Dutton was out trying to reach third base. That was the final out of the inning, but the Golden Eagles tied the game at two.
 
UC took the lead in the bottom of the second inning. AJ Martin hit the second single of the inning, moving Julia DeSalvo to second base. With two outs, Karli Pinkerton doubled to left, scoring two runs.
 
Charleston scored the final run of the game in the third inning on an RBI single by Rachel Rusch, to put the Golden Eagles up 5-2.
 
For Notre Dame, Smith went 3-for-3 with two RBI and Rowland was 2-for-2. Those two hitters accounted for five of Notre Dame's six hits. Sophomore Taylor Olson (6-12) pitched six innings, allowing five runs, but only three earned runs.
 
Martin and Pinkerton were one and two in the UC order and combined to go 5-for-7 with two RBI and three runs scored. Carlee Lucas (13-7) got the win after striking out eight hitters through seven innings.
 
Notre Dame scored a run in the first three innings of game two. In the first, senior Amy Hoover singled and stole second. Rowland then doubled in the run. Junior Halli Swiger put down a bunt that scored sophomore Alyssa Larson in the second. And in the third inning, junior Shelby Stephens touched home plate on a fielder's choice.
 
While the Falcons were ahead 3-1 in the seventh inning, Swiger doubled and went to third base on the throw. The next batter, Hoover, hit a fly ball to right field and Swiger scored on an error by the right fielder, Martin. The insurance run gave Notre Dame a 4-1 advantage.
 
Freshman McKenzie Zigmont (5-6) picked up the win, pitching a complete game, allowing one run and striking out six batters.
 
"She (Zigmont) was keeping the ball low, got ahead in the count for the most part and hit her spots," said head coach Amy Kyler.
 
Larson hit 2-for-3 in the second game and the first three hitters in the Falcons' lineup, Hoover, Rowland and Luciano, combined for three hits and an RBI.
 
For UC, Pinkerton had two hits and Jessie Rowe (7-10) pitched seven innings and was given the loss after allowing four runs, three earned.
 
"The team played harder than they have in a long while," Kyler said, following game two.
 
Notre Dame will take on West Virginia State University in Institute, W.Va., tomorrow. The games are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.