SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – In two very close games, Notre Dame College fell to Shepherd University 4-3 in game one and then lost 2-1 in extra innings, on Sunday afternoon.

In game one, Shepherd (19-9, 11-5 MEC) had bases loaded in the first inning, when Allison Baker singled to left center field, scoring two runs. The next batter, Taylor Stocks, singled to the third base side, plating another run.

A lead-off walk came back to hurt Stocks, the Shepherd pitcher, when senior Amy Hoover scored a run in the bottom of the first on a double by junior Shelby Stephens.

In the fourth inning, sophomore Ariel Linberger pinch-hit. As she was at the plate, a wild pitch moved both runners up one base, advancing to second and third. Linberger came through with a pop fly that dropped behind second base. The Shepherd infielders struggled to find the ball in the sun, allowing both runs to score and the Falcons (10-21, 6-12 MEC) to tie the game at three.

The Rams took the lead back in the fifth inning. With two outs, Baker came up big, again, with an RBI double.

Taylor and Baker each had two hits for SU. Baker added three RBI. Stocks (2-1) pitched seven innings and struck out eight batters.

Freshman McKenzie Zigmont (4-5) took the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits and five walks over seven innings. She also struck out five hitters.

In game two, sophomore Taylor Olson (6-10) and Kaitlin Munda (4-4) went head-to-head for the first eight innings of the game. Olson allowed only four hits in eight innings and Munda gave up six hits. Neither allowed a run.

The best scoring chance for the Falcons came in the bottom of the seventh inning when they had a runner on third base with one out, but could not score a run.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shepherd scored the first two runs of the contest. After Olson got the first two outs, she allowed back-to-back singles and then a two-run double by Munda.

In the bottom half of the inning, NDC put runners on second and third base with a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Hoover singled in one run. After a walk to senior Myranda Rowland, Stephens stepped up to the plate but lined out to second baseman Leann Brown.

For Shepherd, Kaitlyn Konopka went 3-for-5. Munda allowed one run over nine innings and struck out eight hitters.

Rowland and Stephens each had two hits. Olson gave up only two runs and struck out four hitters, but was saddled with the loss.

"I feel we played like the team we are," said head coach Amy Kyler. "All the components of defense, pitching and hitting are coming together and I am hoping we begin to peak this week."

The Falcons will play Gannon University, at home, on April 10. The games are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.