Gwynedd Valley, PA - The Notre Dame of Maryland University Gators opened their 2026 season with a road doubleheader at Gwynedd Mercy University Griffins on Friday afternoon at Frank O. Genuardi Field, dropping both contests to the Griffins.

Game 1: Gwynedd Mercy 5 - Notre Dame of Maryland 2

Notre Dame struck first in the opener, plating two runs in the top of the first inning. Zane Cook delivered the big hit of the frame, ripping a two-run double to right-center to score Chase Cichocki and Brennan Deremeik and give the Gators an early 2–0 lead.

Gwynedd Mercy answered with single runs in the first and second innings to tie the game before breaking through in the bottom of the seventh. The Griffins capitalized on four hits in the frame to score three runs and take a 5–2 advantage they would not relinquish.

The Gators finished with 10 hits, led by Deremeik, Tyler Holton, Luke Thompson, and Brendan Altman, who each collected two. NDM were active on the base paths, with Cichocki swiping two and Altman taking one.

On the mound, Joshua Boyd worked four solid innings in the start, allowing two runs while striking out two. Boyd did a great job limiting damage, particularly when he was able to escape a bases loaded, one-out situation without allowing a run. Donny White pitched two scoreless innings with Brysen Keithley inducing three grounders to get through an easy ninth inning.

Game 2: Gwynedd Mercy 15 - Notre Dame of Maryland 3

Notre Dame again jumped out early in game two, scoring three runs in the first inning with the help of aggressive baserunning and Gwynedd Mercy miscues. Hunter Beil led off with a lasered triple to right field with Altman driving him him. Holton singled to right followed by Joey Clinese reaching on an error to score Altman. MJ Lux came through with a hit in his first at bat of the season and he drove in Holton to make it a 3-0 Gator lead.

The momentum shifted in the bottom of the second, as the Griffins erupted for seven runs to seize control of the game. Gwynedd Mercy continued to add on throughout the afternoon, scoring in five different innings en route to a 15–3 victory.

Holton and Altman led Notre Dame offensively in the nightcap with two hits each, while Altman added an RBI and run scored. AJ Williams took the loss on the mound, with Matthew Murdock, Brendan Coulson, and Jorden Zokak all getting their first appearances of the year.

Notre Dame will look to bounce back as they host Washington College for their season opener on Thursday, February 26 at 3 PM in the friendly confines of Joe Cannon Stadium.