OWINGS MILLS, MD - The Notre Dame of Maryland Gators came up short in both ends of a Sunday doubleheader against Hood College, falling 7–5 in game one and 16–10 in game two.
Game 1 : Notre Dame of Maryland 5 - Hood College 7
Hood started the scoring in the middle innings, hitting a solo home run in the third before breaking the game open with multiple hits which accounted for three runs in the fourth to lead the Blazers 4-0. Hood added to their lead with a two-run home run in the sixth inning to lead 6-0.
The Gators responded with a five-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Gators strung together timely hits, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Claire Smith and a two-run single from Anabelle Hafner, cutting the deficit to 6–5.
Hood scored a lone run in the seventh inning creating a 7-5 as the Gators' comeback attempt fell short.
Offensively, the Gators were led by Raegan Perkes, who went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Julianna Leatherwood added two hits and a stolen base, while Eleanor Flores chipped in with a double and a run scored.
Malorie Gogel took the loss in the circle, allowing seven runs (two earned) over seven innings while striking out two.
Notre Dame finished with eight hits in the contest, while Hood totaled 15. Defensive miscues proved costly for the Gators, as four errors contributed to the Blazers' scoring opportunities.
Game 2 : Notre Dame of Maryland 10 - Hood College 16
Hood struck first with a solo home run to open the game in the first inning, but Notre Dame quickly flipped the momentum in the bottom half of the inning. Flores doubled to left to bring in A. Hafner to even the score 1-1. Two batters later, Smith hit a three-run homer to take a 4-1 lead.
Hood delivered two runs in the second inning off of an error and a double to cut the deficit to 4-3. Later in the third inning, the Blazers delivered an RBI single to tie the game 4-4.
In the bottom of the third, Notre Dame scored six runs on three hits while capitalizing on multiple Hood errors. Flores and Leatherwood opened the inning with back-to-back hits before Smith reached on an error to drive in two runs. Raina Burns added her first hit of the year, laying down a beautiful bunt single. Annabelle Shumski reached base on another Hood error that brought home two more runs. A. Hafner capped the inning with an RBI double as the Gators extended their lead to 10-4.
Hood tied the game in the fourth inning highlighted by a double and a home run, putting together a six-run frame to even the score before continuing to build on that momentum late.
Hood scored five more unanswered runs throughout the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to beat the Gators 16-10.
Flores led the Gators with three hits, two runs, and one RBI. Leatherwood added two hits, and Smith added one hit with four RBI's.
Three Gators saw action in the circle, with Leatherwood taking the loss after allowing eight runs (seven earned) over 2.2 innings.
The Gators will look to bounce back from the sweep when it returns to action on Wednesday, March 25, hosting Marymount in a doubleheader at 3 PM.
