SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – To start the conference season in March, Notre Dame College and West Liberty University split a double-header, and the two teams did the same on Saturday. NDC fell behind West Liberty early and had to bounce back from a 12-0 loss in game one. The Falcons used the long ball to defeat the Hilltoppers in game two, 3-2.

West Liberty, who holds first place in the North Division, jumped out to a big lead in game one of the double-header, scoring seven runs on eight hits in the first inning. Neither team scored again until West Liberty added five runs in the top of the fifth.

Junior Daniele Rivera went 2-for-2 at the plate in the game after going 4-for-6 in two games against Wheeling University, on Friday.

In the second game of the day, NDC put three runs on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Senior Taylor Olson singled on a sharp groundball to center field. With the wind blowing out to center field, senior McKenzie Zigmont, hit a two-run home run that cleared the fence in left field. Sophomore Emily Marsh made it back-to-back homers when she hit a line drive over the center field fence. Marsh totaled six hits and five RBI over the four games between Friday and Saturday.

Olson was cruising in the pitcher's circle for the Falcons through three innings, giving up one hit and walking one. West Liberty put two runs on the board in the fourth when Katie Beeman and Annie Paterson both hit homer runs to right field. Notre Dame's lead was cut to one run, 3-2.

However, after those two solo shots, Olson settled in and allowed just one hit the rest of the game. She pitched a complete game and struck out six batters, earning the win.

Zigmont's home run was her first of the season.

"Great to get that second win against a strong team," said head coach Kelsey Stopp. "Playing West Lib is always a good game. Taylor Olson came ready to throw today and I'm proud of the way she ended her career at home, with a win. McKenzie Zigmont and Emily Marsh had two huge clutch home runs back-to-back that gave us a ton of energy. Defense worked hard today and we can always count on our defense to back the pitcher up. Happy the seniors got to end on a win at home."

Notre Dame will be the four seed from the North Division in the MEC Tournament and will play at noon, on May 7, in Salem, Va. Their opponent will be announced later this weekend.

"Heading into the tournament we are excited to go in with some confidence," Stopp said. "Tournament time is always a fun time of year and anything can happen. I expect to go down there ready to compete and prove to everyone this team has what it takes to succeed."