Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 AVON, Ohio – With the bases loaded and one-out in the bottom of the seventh inning, junior Johnny Costella poked a ball to the CU third baseman who a double play to force extra-innings. However, the speed from the 6-foot 2-inch Trinity High School product, beat out the throw from Concord's Zack Saryeldin, walking-off Notre Dame College (2-13, 2-4 MEC) 5-4 over Concord University (9-12, 5-1 MEC) in game two. The Mountain Lions defeated the Falcons 3-1 in game one on Sunday afternoon at Mercy Health Stadium as the two sides split the series 1-1.
 
In game one, NDC jumped on the scoredboard in the bottom of the second inning, grabbing the lead 1-0. Following a leadoff walk by Nate Miller, and sacrifice bunt by Maximilian Schweiger, freshman Zachary Kakos roped a ball to right field, plating Miller and giving the Falcons a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Mountain Lions responded in the top of the fourth inning, knotting the game at 1-1.
 
CU added two runs on two hits in the fifth inning, while capitalizing on NDC errors, to move ahead 3-1.
 
A low-scoring game one went to Concord 3-1, despite a quality outing by redshirt junior Alec Mendoza on the mound. The Pickerington, Ohio native tossed a complete game, allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out four and not allowing a walk.
 
Notre Dame flipped their fortunes in the second game of the day, doing so in comeback fashion. CU started the scoring in the top of the second inning with two runs on four hits (2-0).
 
The Falcons answered quickly during the home half of the frame with a pair of runs, tying the game at 2-2. Caden Gomes started the action with a double to right field, and later scored on a Mountain Lion error (2-1). Next, Johnathan Cook singled to right center, moving Devon Minney over to third base and positioning runners at the corners. The Falcon duo then stole second base and home plate, respectively, tying the game at 2-2.
 
CU regained the lead 3-2 in the top of the third inning, as the game continued to see-saw back-and-forth.
 
NDC matched CU during the bottom of the third inning, drawing even at 3-3. With two-outs and no one on base, redshirt junior Preston Mauzy stepped up with pinch-hit triple off the right field wall to get the Falcons in business for the second consecutive inning. Following Miller's hit by pitch, Mauzy came around to score on a Mountain Lion error (3-3).
 
Concord reclaimed the lead during the top of the fifth inning, before Notre Dame answered the call once more during the home half. Mauzy got the Falcons started with a walk, before coming around to score on a Gomes RBI single through the right side (4-4).
 
During the top of the seventh inning, CU threatened by loading the bases, however graduate student Devin Fish locked down the Mountain Lions allowing NDC to escape a bases loaded jam in the final inning of play.
 
In the bottom of the seventh inning Hayden Parker tallied a single up the middle to leadoff the frame. Next, Mauzy and Miller drew back-to-back walks, loading the bases for Notre Dame. Two batters later, and with one out, Costella slapped a ball to the CU third baseman who needed a double play to force extra innings. By running hard down the line, the Cleveland, Ohio native beat out the throw from Concord's Saryeldin, earning a win for Fish and a series split for NDC on Sunday afternoon.
 
Both Fish and reliever Danny Brammer tossed an inning of scoreless relief in the game.
 
On the day, the Falcons were paced by Gomes and Parker who picked up a pair of hits apiece at the plate. NDC saw clutch hitting from Costella, Gomes and Kakos, as the trio each tallied an RBI. Moreover, Gomes (double) and Mauzy (triple) generated the extra-base hits for Notre Dame on the afternoon.
 
The Notre Dame College baseball team will be back in action tomorrow, Monday Mar. 27 as the Falcons host Glenville State University at Mercy Health Stadium for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.