SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Along with 11 runs scored, the Notre Dame College pitching staff fanned 17 hitters and the Falcons swept Ursuline College by scores of 6-2 and 5-1, on Tuesday afternoon. The victories represented the first NDC double-header sweep of a home opener since 2016.

In game one, senior Erin Calhoun was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Freshman Mikaela Fording laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Calhoun to second base. Senior Shelby Stephens and junior Kathryn Smith each singled to load the bases, before sophomore McKenzie Zigmont doubled to right field, clearing the bags and totaling three runs batted in.

Zigmont came through in the third inning, with runners on first and second base. Her second home run of the season cleared the left field fence and put three more runs on the board.

When she did not have the bat in her hands, Zigmont (3-5) was impressive as the Falcons' starting pitcher. She got the win after striking out ten batters, which is tied for ninth most in one game in program history. She only allowed two runs, one on an RBI double in the fifth and one on an RBI single in the sixth.

"McKenzie was big on the mound for us today," said head coach Kelsey Stopp. "She was struggling to find her spots there, at the beginning, but she figured it out and started throwing hard. She definitely made up for it in the batter's box. I'm proud of her. She's been swinging the bat really well and hopefully that sticks. I'm super proud of her for taking it upon herself and getting the job done."

The three, four and five hitters in the lineup (Stephens, Smith, Zigmont) each had two hits. Zigmont's six RBI also places her second in single game NDC history. For Ursuline, Leah Leshnack and Kat Ferretti both amassed two hits.

Notre Dame carried the offense and great pitching into game two of the day. Fording, who reached via fielder's choice, scored the first run of the game. Stephens singled up the middle and the ball was misplayed by the center fielder, allowing Fording to score. Later in the first inning, Stephens scored on a sacrifice fly by Zigmont.

The score remained 2-0 in favor of NDC until Leshnack hit a solo homer to left field in the fifth inning. In need of an insurance run, the Falcons turned to freshman Rhianna Weall to pinch-hit in the bottom of the sixth. She was hit by a pitch to load the bases and then a wild pitch by Nicole Rawlings, allowed a run to score. Two more runs crossed the plate when senior Halli Swiger singled up the middle.

The clutch hits and insurance runs throughout the game were something that the head coach was very happy to see this early in the season.

"As of late, we've been struggling with execution, so I think today, we really figured it out," Stopp said. "I'm proud of them for figuring out the execution side of things."

In the pitcher's circle, junior Taylor Olson (4-4) gave up one run in a complete game victory. While sticking out seven hitters, she only allowed five hits and walked one. Over the two games, Notre Dame's offense totaled 15 hits and Stephens had an impressive day, going 4-for-6 at the plate and scoring four runs. For Ursuline, Leshnack went 3-for-3 at the plate in game two.

"I'm excited to have my first two home wins," Stopp mentioned. "This team is awesome, I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls. We've got a big weekend coming up, so we're really hoping to roll this into the weekend."

Notre Dame will play Mercyhurst University on March 21. The games will begin at 3 and 5 p.m.