BALTIMORE- The Notre Dame (MD) softball team made a statement to open CSAC play, sweeping the University of Valley Forge in their doubleheader. The Gators took game one by a score of 5-2 and then capped off the day with a 3-2 victory in game two.
 
GAME 1
The Gators (6-7 Overall; 1-0 CSAC) jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the bottom of the first inning. After Emma Livingston and Lilyian Hafner were each hit by pitches, Bethani Newbold drove a double through the left side, eventually advancing scoring on an error, allowing NDMU to take a 3-0 lead. Ciarra Bockstie started another rally lifting a ball into right field, resulting in a triple. Later in the inning, Scarlett Miller stole second base, and on the throw, Bockstie took home, giving the Gators a 4-0 lead. 
 
NDMU would tack on another run in the third inning. Jessie Leatherwood led off the inning by hammering a double into left field. Newbold remained hot, smoking a triple into right field, bring home Leatherwood to give NDMU a 5-1 lead. 
 
The Patriots (7-10 Overall; 0-3 CSAC) tried to climb back into the game, plating a run in the top of the fifth inning to close back within three runs. Gena Donalds prevented any further scoring, shutting down the Patriots offense. Donalds pitched 7.0 innings, allowing two runs, neither of which were earned, on three hits while striking out six. 
 
GAME 2 
The Gators (7-7 Overall; 2-0 CSAC) started slower in game recording only one hit in the first two innings. NDMU finally started in to find some rhythm in the bottom of the third inning. Miller led off the inning by driving a single into right field. Emily Bonnett earned a walk to put a pair of runners on base for Candace Forgach-Aguilar. She hit a hard ground ball that forced a rushed throw resulting in an error that allowed Miller to score and give NDMU a 1-0 lead. 
 
After a scoreless fourth inning, NDMU struck again in the fifth inning. Miller once again led off the inning with a single, and Forgach-Aguilar added a single of her own to put two runners on base. The duo pulled off a double steal to put two runners in scoring position. Later in the inning, Leatherwood lifted a ball that fell just in front of a hard charging left fielder, allowing two runs to score and give the Gators a 3-0 lead. 
 
In the circle, Leatherwood confused the Patriots (7-11 Overall; 0-4 CSAC), holding their offense to a single hit in the first five innings. Valley Forge managed to plate a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning to tighten up the game. NDMU's defense came up huge in the seventh inning, with right field Donalds taking away a pair of possible base hits by throwing runners out at first, helping the Gators secure the 3-2 victory. 
 
NOTABLES

• Newbold went 3-3 in game one, recording a double and a triple while driving in three RBIs. On the day, Newbold recorded five hits
• Bockstie returned to the lineup, smashing her first triple of the season
• Leatherwood was dominant in the circle in game two, throwing 7.0 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out 10 Patriots. In addition to her pitching performance, Leatherwood drove in two RBIs. 
• Miller had one of her best outings of the season, recording a pair of singles

 
WHO'S NEXT 
The Gators will continue CSAC play, traveling to face Cairn University in a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 8. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM. 
 
FOLLOW US
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports.