FROSTBURG, MD –
Ben Ross generates a career-high five RBIs during game one and
Austin Mora deals a complete game shutout in game two to earn Notre Dame College (22-22, 16-10 MEC) a Saturday sweep of Frostburg State University (28-13, 18-8 MEC). The Falcons totaled 24 hits and 18 runs on the afternoon to grab the 13-6 win in game one and 5-0 victory in game two.
NDC began game one with a run during the top of the first inning. Ross plated
Alec Mendoza on an RBI groundout, after Mendoza led the frame off with a single (1-0). However, FSU answered with a run of the their own during the home half of the first (1-1).
In the top of the second inning, Notre Dame began a scoring frenzy by posting nine runs during the frame. Mendoza and
Nick Farrell drew back-to-back RBI walks to start the scoring in the inning (3-1). After a Frostburg State pitching change, Ross roped a two-run double to left center, moving NDC in front 5-1.
Kyle Espineli secured an RBI single during the very next at bat, while
Nick Petrolla stepped to the plate and raked a two-run double to left field, pushing NDC ahead 8-1. Next, Tyler Shalde poked a single to right field, moving Notre Dame's ninth run across home plate. For good measure, Shadle came around to score via passed ball, to put the Falcons on top 10-1.
Frostburg State grabbed a run during the bottom of the second inning (10-2), but Ross countered with his second two-run double in as many innings, giving NDC a 12-2 lead after the top of the third.
Austin Mora tallied the Falcons 13
th run of the contest during the seventh inning via single to earn a 13-6 victory in game one.
On the bump,
Kyle Farrell toed the rubber in relief of starting pitcher
Alex Dicke and tossed a gem. K. Farrell dealt four innings, allowing just two hits and zero earned runs on his way to earning the victory, a massive win for head coach
Len Barker and the Falcons.
In game two, it was the
Austin Mora show, as the redshirt senior pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just two hits and striking out six. The Falcon ace ensured another monumental win for Barker and NDC as he now holds the second best opponent batting average in the MEC at .230. Freshman teammate, Dicke leads the conference at .216.
Starting the scoring off was
Nate Miller who earned the start behind the dish. He generated NDC's first run of the game via an RBI single to right field, scoring Espineli who led off the frame with a single (1-0).
A stalemate ensued over the next five innings until Notre Dame posted four insurance runs during the top of the seventh inning. Ross began the frame with a single and later scored via Parker's RBI base knock (2-0). With the bases loaded,
Shane Mittleman drew an RBI walk to put NDC in front 3-0. During the very next at bat, Mendoza drove home a pair of runs on a single to center field and all of the sudden, the Falcons were on top 5-0.
Mora would hold the Bobcats at bay during the final frame with a pair of punch outs to generate his team leading fourth complete game and tally his fourth win of the season.
Leading the charge on offense was N. Farrell and Mendoza with five hits apiece, while Ross and
Michael Zeuli totaled three each. Hitting in the clutch was Ross who matched a career-high with five runs driven in, followed by Mendoza with three and Petrolla with a pair. In terms of extra base hits, Ross poked two, while N. Farrell and Petrolla slugged one apiece.
Notre Dame College will be back in action for another doubleheader against Frostburg State University. The twin-bill is slated for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday May 1.
