WASHINGTON, DC - College of Notre Dame softball recorded several new program records Friday afternoon after earning a doubleheader split at non-conference opponent Gallaudet. The Gators (2-4 overall) won the first game, 10-3, before falling in the back end of the double header by a 12-8 score.

The Gator softball team, who are currently playing in their second season in NCAA Division III competition, set a new program record for runs scored in a season in their 10-3 game one win. Entering Friday's action, Notre Dame had scored 23 runs in four games. Notre Dame had scored just 24 runs in its first season in 2009. After Friday's games, the Gators now have 41 runs scored on the year.

Head Coach Wayne Smith now has the most wins as softball coach in Notre Dame history. At 2-4 overall, the Gators already have more wins in 2010 than in all of 2009 (1-23).

The Gators got out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one, as freshman Mindy Daugherty (Hampstead, MD/Hampstead) scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior Cherish Deaver (Bel Air, MD/Fallston). Senior Whitley Noel (Red Lion, PA/Red Lion Area), who reached on a single, later scored after sophomore teammate Katie Murphy (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly) reached on a error.

After Gallaudet got one run back in the bottom of the first, Notre Dame reclaimed a two-run edge in the top of the second when freshman pitcher Kirsten Smulovitz (Fallston, MD/Towson Catholic) scored on a fielding error.

The Bison knotted the game at three in the bottom of the second on a two-run home run off the bat of Alicia Balzar. However, Notre Dame charged back with a six-spot in the top of the fourth, led by a two-run singles from Noel and junior Ashley Taylor (Edgewood, MD/Harford Tech.), as well as a RBI single off the bat of Murphy. Notre Dame rounded out the scoring in the top of the sixth with a run on an error for the 10-3 win.

Smulovitz (2-1) tossed a complete game in the circle, allowing three runs on five hits. She also went 2-for-3 at the dish with two runs scored. Noel, Murphy and Taylor each added two hits with two RBI. Daugherty also had two runs scored with a hit. 

The Gators carried their positive momentum into game two, starting off with a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Deaver drove in Daugherty on an RBI single. Gallaudet responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, but Notre Dame quickly took back the lead in the top of the third with two runs, highlighted by a RBI single off the bat of Taylor.

Gallaudet re-took the lead in the bottom of the third with three runs for a 5-3 edge. The Bison blew the game open with seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 12-3 lead. The Gators came back with five runs in the top of the fifth, but it was not enough as Gallaudet ended up earning the 12-8 victory.

The Gators eight runs in game two were scored on just two hits in the game. The Bison committed three errors in the second game while walking nine Gators.

Notre Dame returns to Colonial States Athletic Conference action on Monday with a 3 p.m. home doubleheader against Immaculata (1-8 overall, 1-3 CSAC).