PHILIPPI, W.Va. – Ben Ross records six hits, and Alec Mendoza totals five to help power Notre Dame College (26-24, 20-12 MEC) to the sweep of Alderson Broaddus (7-37, 7-25 MEC) on Monday afternoon, cementing the Falcons in the Mountain East Conference Tournament. Ross tallied an efficient 6-for-8 from the plate on the day, while Mendoza carried the momentum from his career day less than 24 hours ago. The third baseman registered 5-for-8 from the dish, to extend his hit streak to 12 straight games and swell his batting average to .331.
 
In game one, Nick Petrolla put Notre Dame ahead early with an RBI single in the top of the first inning. Mendoza scored on the play after drawing a leadoff walk (1-0).
 
Alderson Broaddus claimed a pair of runs and the lead in the bottom half of the first on a two-run single to right center (2-1).
 
The Falcons jumped back in front during the top of the third inning with four runs on three hits. After Ross led off the frame with a double, he came around to score after a Battler balk and wild pitch (2-2). Michael Zeuli continued the scoring with an RBI double to left field, plating Kyle Espineli after his walk (3-2). Later in the inning, Mendoza generated a two-out, two-run double to left field, moving NDC ahead 5-2.
 
Notre Dame scored again in the fourth inning after a Battler passed ball scored Ross (6-2), following his leadoff single.
 
After Alderson Broaddus scored in the fourth, NDC posted three runs on three hits in the fifth. Ross totaled an RBI on a single to left, following Mendoza's single and an AB error (7-3). Next, Tyler Shadle roped a two-run single to cap off the scoring at 9-3 Falcons.
 
The Battlers played inspired baseball during the bottom of the fifth inning, posting six runs on three hits. All three AB hits went as home runs, including a grand slam (9-9)
 
However, in the top of the sixth inning, Shane Mittleman got the momentum going with a double to right field. After a groundout, the second baseman came around to score the go ahead run on a wild pitch (10-9). In the top of the seventh, Ross added an insurance run after he was walked and came around to steal home (11-9).
 
Kyle Farrell entered the game in the sixth inning to hold the fort down for the Falcons. Farrell tossed two scoreless innings, allowing three hits en route to picking up the save.
 
In game two, Shane Mittleman started the scoring with an RBI single to third base in the second inning. Zeuli came around to score after his leadoff double to left center (1-0).
 
The Battlers tallied a run of their own during the bottom half of the frame with a sacrifice fly to center field (1-1).
 
The Falcons reclaimed the lead in the top of the third inning off the bat of Petrolla. The redshirt senior poked a single to right field, allowing Ross to score who also singled to lead off the inning (2-1).
 
In the top of the fifth inning, Perolla generated another RBI with a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Ross to score after his leadoff single (3-1). Joe Prevesk came on as a pinch runner for Kyle Espineli, and proceeded to steal home and grab NDC's fourth run of the game.
 
During the top of the sixth inning, Nick Farrell and Ross exchanged back-to-back RBI doubles to left field, pushing the Notre Dame advantage to 6-1. Moreover, N. Farrell's double marked the 213^th hit of his NDC career which breaks the program record, originally held by Danny Beaver who stroked 212 hits from 2014-2017. Both N. Farrell and Beaver are the lone NDC Falcons in program history to record 200 hits for a career.
 
In the top of the seventh inning, Notre Dame furthered their advantage with a pair of runs. Mendoza registered an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center field, while Parker Hray scored on a wild pitch (8-1).
 
Cameron Kern pitched a gem en route to his first win of the season. The redshirt freshman tossed five innings allowing one earned on four hits, while striking out a career-high six batters. Kern's five innings pitched also notches a career-high mark.
 
On the day and as aforementioned, Ross led the offense with six hits, followed by Mendoza with five hits and Zeuli with four. Mendoza and Petrolla paved the way in the RBI department with three, followed by Ross and Shadle with two apiece. In terms of doubles, Zeuli roped three, while Ross and Mendoza stroked two, and N. Farrell and Mittleman poked one.
 
With the sweep today, Notre Dame College earned their way into the Mountain East Conference Tournament and will play in Beckley, WV on Thursday May 12 at noon. Since the Falcons finished in third place in the North Division, they draw top seeded Charleston out of the South Division.