SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Following a tough double-header on Tuesday, Notre Dame College got back to their winning ways on Normandy Field, where they now hold a record of 7-3. NDC defeated Urbana University by a score of 11-3 for the first win of the day and then won 11-2 in the second game.

Notre Dame's offense took off early in both games, on Wednesday. In game one, the Falcons (14-16, 4-6 MEC) put the first run on the scoreboard in the first inning, a bit unconventionally. Sophomore Katelyn Rheude reached first after a wild pitch, dropped third strike. She would reach second base when senior Shelby Stephens got on base, via error. and then she scored on a double by sophomore McKenzie Zigmont.

The Falcons plated three more runs in the second inning on a two-run double by senior Erin Calhoun followed by a Stephens RBI double. NDC had three doubles in the inning (Kelsi Miske, Calhoun, Stephens).

Urbana (4-26, 1-11 MEC) certainly did not go away and cut the lead in half in the top of the third inning. The Blue Knights scored on an RBI single by Madison Bryant before Mia Smallwood hit an RBI groundout that rolled back to the pitcher. In the fourth inning, Kayleigh Pate, who entered the game to pitch the inning before, homered to center field, bringing UU within one run.

That's when the Notre Dame offense took off. In the fifth inning, Zigmont stroked her second double over the center fielder's head and then senior Halli Swiger singled and went to second base on the throw. Both runners scored when freshman Rhianna Weall singled to left field.

In the sixth inning, the momentum continued and the Falcons' first three hitters recorded a single. With one out, Swiger singled to score two runs and then junior Ariel Linberger knocked her first home run over the center field fence, giving the home team an 11-3 lead. The game ended because the lead was eight runs after the fifth inning.

Notre Dame collected 13 hits in game one, which ties the team's season-high. Five hitters recorded two hits and five hitters had, at least, one extra base hit. Linberger had three RBI, while Calhoun, Swiger and Weall all had two RBI.

The second NDC batter of game two, Erin Calhoun, was hit by a pitch and Stephens followed her with a double to left field. With two outs, Swiger scored both runners with a single and Olson singled up the middle, scoring another run. NDC went on top 5-0 after freshman Mikaela Fording doubled in two more runs.

After a two-run homer for Urbana's Mykee Holtz closed the gap to three runs, NDC scored four more runs in the bottom of the third. Swiger singled and Linberger homered for her second of the day. Later in the inning, two runs came home on a single by Calhoun. Notre Dame led, 9-2.

Notre Dame wrapped up the game in the fourth inning when pinch-hitter Rhianna Weall singled down the left field line, scoring two runs. UU did not score a run in the top of the fifth, and the game was over.

In the NDC batting order, the five, six, seven and eight hitters (Swiger, Linberger, Olson, Fording) combined for seven hits, eight runs scored and seven RBI. Calhoun, Swiger, Linberger, Fording and Weall each had two RBI.

Junior Taylor Olson (7-8) got the win for Notre Dame after allowing just one earned run in five innings, while striking out two. Over 11 innings, the Falcons' pitchers, Zigmont and Olson, allowed just four earned runs and struck out eight.

"I am so happy with the way the girls played today, all around," said Head Coach Kelsey Stopp. "These were two important wins for us today. Our at bats have come around and I love how aggressive these girls are being and attacking the ball."

The Falcons will face No. 25 Shepherd University on April 6. The first pitches in Shepherdstown are scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m.