Washington, D.C.– The Notre Dame of Maryland University softball team smashed four home runs to power past Gallaudet University on Sunday, Mar. 24. The Gators won game one by a score of 10-3 and then closed out the sweep with a 7-2 victory.
GAME 1
The Gators struck first, scoring in the top of the second inning. Charlene Torres led off the inning by blasting a double into the left center gap. Lilyian Hafner then lifted a double into left field that put two runners in scoring position. Makayla Lopez drove in the game's first run, lifting a sacrifice fly into right field. Gena Donalds then smacked an RBI double into left field, scoring Hafner to put NDMU ahead 2-0. The Bison answered back, scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at two.
NDMU continued rolling in the bottom of the third inning. Julianna Leatherwood started the rally, smacking a single into left field. Jessie Leatherwood drew a walk and both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Torres plated a run with a sacrifice fly to center field, putting the Gators ahead 3-2. L. Hafner crushed a homerun far over the left field fence, igniting the NDMU dugout. Bethani Newbold kept the momentum going, hammering a triple into left center field. Lopez followed by reaching on a field error that allowed Newbold to score easily.
Starting pitcher Donalds stifled the Bison's offensive attack, holding them scoreless in the final four innings, while only allowing six hits in the game. NDMU tacked on another run in the fourth inning. Anabelle Hafner blasted a double off the left field fence and advanced to third on a grounder by Ju. Leatherwood. A. Hafner showcased her elite speed, stealing home to put the Gators ahead 7-3.
The Gators continued lighting up the scoreboard, scoring again in the fifth inning. With L. Hafner standing on second base, Newbold crushed a homerun over the left field wall, pushing NDMU's lead to six. Later in the inning, after Lopez had singled to right field, A. Hafner laced a triple off the left-field fence, scoring Lopez, making the score 10-3. The Gators held Gallaudet to two total base runners in the final three innings, securing the victory.
GAME 2
NDMU looked to continue their momentum from their game one victory but found themselves trailing 1-0 heading into the top of the third inning. Candace Forgach-Aguilar started the rally, slapping a single up the middle. A. Hafner pushed a double into right field, putting both runners in scoring position. Ju. Leatherwood drove in the Gators first run, hitting a hard grounder that allowed Forgach-Aguilar to score. Je. Leatherwood then reached on a Bison error, allowing Hafner to score.
The Gators broke the game wide open in the fourth inning. Newbold led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Steers then popped a single into right field, allowing Newbold to score. A. Hafner blasted her first career homerun over the right center field fence, plating two runs to put NDMU ahead 5-1. Ju. Leatherwood kept the offense rolling blasting a double to left center. Je Leatherwood launched NDMU's fourth home run of the day, easily clearing the right-field fence to put NDMU ahead 7-1.
Je. Leatherwood started in the circle and was in complete control of the game from the start. She struck out 11 Gallaudet Batters while allowing just two hits in 7.0 innings of action. She would strike out two of the final three batters in the seventh inning to secure the 7-2 victory.
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will travel to face Penn St. Schuylkill in a doubleheader on Tuesday, Mar. 26. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports.
