BALTIMORE- The Notre Dame (MD) softball team picked up a pair of important CSAC victories, sweeping Keystone College in their doubleheader on Thursday, Apr. 27. The Gators roared to an 8-1 win in game one before rolling to a 7-1 victory in game two. 
 
Jessie Leatherwood was huge for NDMU recording six hits on the day, bringing in eight RBIs. Candace Forgach-Aguilar remained hot, hammering three more hits and finishing the day with two RBIs. 
 
GAME 1 
The Gators (13-15 Overall, 5-8 CSAC) started quickly, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Emma Livingston led off the game by reaching on an error. Leatherwood crushed a triple into left field, allowing Livingston to race around the bases and score. NDMU worked the bases loaded in the inning, but they could not extend the early lead. The Giants (9-18 Overall, 8-5 CSAC) answered back, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game at one. 
 
NDMU's pitching settled in and kept the Keystone's offense scoreless the rest of the way. Leatherwood pitched the first 3.0 innings, allowing eight hits while striking out two. Ciarra Bockstie came on in relief, earning the win by pitching the final 4.0 innings, allowing just six hits the rest of the way. 
 
Forgach-Aguilar put the Gators ahead in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, she drove a single into left field, allowing two runs to score. Later in the inning, Leatherwood rocketed a double down the left field line, driving in two more runs making the score 5-0. Miranda Burton capped off the rally, punching a single into right center field that allowed Leatherwood to score. 
 
The Gator added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning. Leatherwood continued her huge day, smacking a single up the middle, driving in Livingston and Forgach-Aguilar to make the score 8-1. The Giants would get two runners on base in the seventh inning, but they could not start a rallying. 
 
GAME 2
The Gators (14-15 Overall, 6-8 CSAC) kept their offensive rhythm going to start game two, scoring in the top of the first inning. Leatherwood and Burton each singled and worked themselves into scoring position. A failed pick-off attempt allowed Leatherwood to score the game's first run. Bockstie blasted a single into right field that allowed Burton to score stretching the lead to 2-0. The Giants (9-19 Overall, 8-6 CSAC) responded, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning. 
 
NDMU answered right back in the top of the second inning. Scarlett Miller led off the inning with a single and then stole second base. Later in the inning, Leatherwood slapped a single through the left side scoring Miller. 
 
The Gators were once again dominate in the circle with Gena Donalds pitching the first 5.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out three. Leatherwood came on in relief, pitching the final 2.0 innings, allowing no runs, no hits and striking out three. 

NDMU put the game out of reach in the sixth inning. Donalds led off the inning by smoking a triple into center field. Miller drove in Donalds with a hard ground ball, making the score 4-1. Later in the inning with runners on first and second, Leatherwood capped off her amazing day with a triple that drove in two runners and made the score 6-1. Burton concluded the scoring, bringing in Leatherwood to make the score 7-1. 
 
WHO'S NEXT 
The Gators are scheduled to travel to face defending CSAC Champions Wilson College in an important doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 29. First pitch is scheduled for 1PM.
 
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