WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Gallaudet University softball team ended its six-game losing streak with a sound 14-3 win over visiting College of Notre Dame (Md.) in five innings of Thursday's doubleheader. In the second game, the visiting Gators won 6-2 in seven innings over the Bison.

Gallaudet (3-15) scored its second highest run total of the season as it plated eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning in the first game. GU batted around in the inning as Gator fielding errors kept the inning alive for the Bison. Sophomore Michelin Barron (Frederick, Md.) delivered the knockout punch with a three-run home run off Gator starting pitcher Kirsten Smulovitz. The insurance runs helped GU close out the game in five innings since the Bison led by more than eight runs.

Three different Bison had three hits in the 11-run victory led by sophomore shortstop Nicole O'Malley (Fredericksburg, Va.) who went 3-for-4, scored three runs and had a double. Freshmen Rachel Sweigart (Big Rock, Ill.) and Caitlin Stevens (Glen Allen, Va.) both recorded three hits and one run while Sweigart knocked in two runs and Stevens had one RBI. In fact, every Bison tallied a RBI but one batter in the win. GU got on the board in the bottom of the first when it scored four runs and then added two runs in the second.

Sweigart (1-1) picked up her first win of the season as she pitched five innings where she allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits, walked five and struck out two. Smulovitz took the loss as she hurled four innings and allowed 14 runs (six earned) off 15 hits, walked none and had two strikeouts. Her defense recorded five errors in the loss.

In the second game, sophomore pitcher Alicia Johnson (San Jose, Calif.) had control problems for the Bison as she walked five batters, threw a few wild pitches and witnessed a pass ball as the Gators scored two runs in the first inning. Johnson's control problems continued for the rest of the game as she allowed six runs on three hits as she walked 14 batters and threw six wild pitches. On the flipside Johnson (1-5) did have a season-high 12 strikeouts in the loss.

GU got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning when Barron led off with a single up the middle and then later scored on a RBI single by Stevens. Barron drove in Gallaudet's second run in the sixth when her fielder's choice allowed sophomore Leeza Cantu (Selma, Calif.) to score.

Notre Dame pitcher Amber Lovejoy picked up the win as she went the complete game where she surrendered two runs (one earned) on five hits, walked five and struck out three.

GU will hit the road this weekend for the first time in over two weeks as the Bison will travel to Penn St.-Berks on Saturday, April 9, for a conference doubleheader. Gallaudet will then make the trip over to Penn St.-Harrisburg for two games on Sunday, April 10. The NEAC conference doubleheaders will start at 1 p.m. on both days.