BALTIMORE, Md. – Notre Dame (Md.) showed off their potential in recent games, delivering an impressive 14-3 win over Cairn and putting up a strong fight in a narrow 10-9 loss to Hood.
NDMU 14, Cairn 3; 5 innings:
In the first match up against Cairn, the Gators remained scoreless through the first two innings before exploding in the third with a staggering 14-run inning.
Eleanor Flores set the tone with a double bringing in two runs, followed by
Bethani Newbold's single for two unearned runs.
Claire Smith added to the tally with a double, and Flores struck again with a three-RBI double.
Julianna Leatherwood,
Charlene Torres, and
Lilyian Hafner contributed with RBI hits, propelling the Gators to a 14-0 lead. Cairn managed to respond in the bottom of the third with three runs, but the Gators' defense held firm, resulting in a final score of 14-3.
Game Highlights:
- Notre Dame (Md.):
Eleanor Flores (2 doubles, 5 RBIs),
Bethani Newbold (1 hit, 2 RBIs),
Claire Smith (1 double, 3 RBIs).
- Cairn: R. Curtis (1 double, 2 RBIs), A. McIntyre (1 RBI).
NDMU 10, Cairn 1; 6 innings:
Facing Cairn again, Notre Dame (Md.) secured another commanding win, this time 10-1. The Gators opened with five runs in the first inning, including a three-run homer from Smith. The second inning saw three more runs added, and despite Cairn scoring one run in the fourth, the Gators maintained control throughout.
Game Highlights:
- Notre Dame (Md.):
Claire Smith (1 homer, 3 RBIs),
Julianna Leatherwood (1 double, 2 RBIs).
- Cairn: J. Baker (1 run).
NDMU 12, Lancaster Bible 2; 5 innings:
Earlier in the week, Notre Dame faced Lancaster Bible (10-9) and came away with a 12-2 victory, bolstered by a five-run fifth inning. The Gators initially scored four runs in the first inning with contributions from Annabelle Hafner and
Julianna Leatherwood, and extended their lead to 5-1 in the second.
Claire Smith's two-run double in the fourth and a flurry of runs in the fifth, including a series of fielding errors by Lancaster Bible, sealed the win for the Gators.
Game Highlights:
- Notre Dame (Md.): Annabelle Hafner (1 hit, 1 run),
Claire Smith (1 double, 2 RBIs),
Scarlett Miller (1 run).
Hood 10, NDMU 9:
However, the Gators faced tough competition against Hood, where they initially took a 5-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a grand slam by L. Hafner. Despite their strong start, Hood rallied to score four runs in the third and ultimately edged out Notre Dame with a late run in the seventh, ending the game 10-9.
Game Highlights:
- Notre Dame (Md.):
Lilyian Hafner (Grand Slam), Bethany Newbold (home run).
Hood 9, NDMU 1:
In the second game of the doubleheader with Hood, Notre Dame fell 9-1, struggling to maintain their early momentum. Annabelle Hafner opened the scoring with a solo home run, but Hood bounced back with seven runs in the first inning, including key hits from L. McConnell and B. Pysher. The Gators were unable to recover as Hood added to their lead with two more runs, sealing the game at 9-1.
Game Highlights:
- Notre Dame (Md.): Annabelle Hafner (Home Run).
- Hood: L. McConnell (2 RBIs), B. Pysher (2 RBIs).
The Gators now hold an overall record of 3-11, with a conference record of 3-2 in the UEC.
