TROUTVILLE, Va. – Two of the top pitchers in the conference were on display to begin the Mountain East Conference Tournament, on Wednesday. Grace Fisher had 12 strikeouts for Notre Dame College and Ella Collinsworth had the go-ahead single in the sixth inning as the Falcons defeated Glenville State University, 2-1.
 
Through the first two innings, neither team had a base hit. The only base runner was NDC's sophomore Danielle Fick, who drew a walk.
 
To begin the top of the third inning, both Collinsworth and sophomore Lindsay Breuer walked. Senior Katelyn DeWeese moved them over with a sacrifice bunt, but NDC did not score a run. In the bottom of the third, Glenville State had a leadoff single. Pinch runner Madison Yoak took off for second base in attempt to steal the bag, but Breuer's throw got to the Fick in time to tag the runner out.
 
Holly Brehm, who got the win over the Falcons on April 20 in the regular season, had to throw a lot of pitches on Wednesday. Notre Dame was very patient at the plate and walked five times to go along with the seven hits allowed by the GSU ace.
 
NDC took advantage of a couple defensive mistakes in the fourth inning to take the lead. With one out, Fick popped a ball up on the infield that was dropped near third base. Fick hustled to second base on the play. With two out, Collinsworth popped one up about 1/3 of the way down the first base line, and the ball was dropped by the Pioneers' catcher, allowing Fick to sprint home.
 
Glenville State was set up for a big inning after its leadoff hitter singled and then a bunt attempt by the next batter rolled past the pitcher's circle for another single. With one out, and runners on second and third, a single by Addison Aguiniga scored the tying run. Fisher struck out the final two hitters, with a runner still at third, to keep the score tied at one.
 
The Falcons responded right away. Fick, who walked three times on Wednesday, drew a leadoff walk in the sixth inning and freshman Jocelyn Quior singled. Freshman Kaitlyn Mazzocca dropped a base hit into left field and Fick tried to score from second, but a perfect throw home got her. With runners on second and third, Collinsworth put another ball in the air that was perfectly placed on the edge of the outfield grass behind the second baseman. That allowed the go-ahead run to cross the plate.
 
Fisher pitched a complete game and got her 17th win of the campaign. She only allowed one run and four hits, while striking out 12 batters for second time in her last three starts. She has now totaled 35 strikeouts over her last three outings.
 
DeWeese and Quior both had two hits.
 
NDC has a quick turnaround as they will play the top seed in the North Division, Fairmont State, tomorrow at noon. Fairmont defeated Concord, 7-1, on Wednesday evening.