SALEM, Va. – Notre Dame College struggled to get the offense going in game one of the Mountain East Conference Tournament, falling to West Virginia State University, 4-1. The Falcons bounced back in game two with 12 hits and a complete game by senior McKenzie Zigmont to grab a 5-1 win over Concord University. For the first time since 2015, NDC advances to the second day of the MEC Tournament.

NDC started the day against the top seed in the South Division, West Virginia State. The Yellow Jackets put the first run on the board in the first inning when Paige Scruggs doubled to right center, scoring a runner from first base.

Scruggs would look to add on in the third inning, when she hit a long fly ball into the corner in left field. Notre Dame's senior Brenna Lorek made a great catch at the wall to rob a possible home run.

Senior Taylor Olson started the game in the circle for NDC and got out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth inning. Junior Mikaela Fording tried to spark the Falcons' offense in the top of the fifth when she hit her third home run of the season and tied the game at one.

The Yellow Jackets added on in the bottom of the sixth when Emily Moore and Scruggs had RBI singles to put WVSU up 4-1.

Olson went 2-for-3 in the batter's box and threw 5 1/3 innings in the circle in game one.

NDC played Concord, the three seed from the South Division, in game two. The two teams were scoreless through three innings, but the Falcons were threatening early. A leadoff walk to senior Katelyn Rheude and a single by junior Daniele Rivera put runners on first and second in the first inning. Again, in the second inning, runners were on first and second when sophomore Emily Marsh walked and Fording singled to right field. To lead off the third inning, Rivera doubled to left center.

Notre Dame broke through in the fourth inning, beginning with two outs. Fording, Lorek and pinch hitter Sydnie Jarrett hit three consecutive singles to load the bases. Rivera then recorded her third hit of the game, another single, which brought in two runs.

Two more runs would score the next inning. Junior Lexi Rehm doubled to start the fifth and then Olson singled to score a run. Marsh singled and, again with two outs, Lorek hit a ball up the middle that got past the pitcher and allowed Olson to score. Notre Dame took a 4-0 lead.

A home run by junior Alexi Maciejowski, her team-leading fourth of the year, gave NDC a 5-0 advantage.

"Overall, great to see the team come back and get a win over Concord," said head coach Kelsey Stopp. "Zig threw incredible and our offense really stepped up. The defense was solid all day and we are looking forward to tomorrow."

Zigmont picked up her eighth win as she pitched a complete game, allowing one unearned run and just five hits. Rivera tied a season-high with three hits and had two RBI. Fording and Lorek both totaled two hits.

Notre Dame will prepare to take on the three seed from the North Division, Fairmont State University, tomorrow at noon.