WASHINGTON - The Gallaudet University softball team dropped a non-conference doubleheader to Notre Dame of Maryland University here Sunday on a blustery and chilly day at the GU Softball Complex. The Gators (3-1) won both games by the eight run-rule as they took the first game 12-2 and the second game 14-3 in five innings over the Bison (0-8).

Game 1: Notre Dame (Md.) 12, Gallaudet 2 (F/5)
Notre Dame (Md.) jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the second inning and never looked back against the Bison. The visitors had three singles and GU issued six walks, five in a row at one point, as the Gators led by six runs.

Gallaudet got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning when sophomore Emma Giuntoli (Austin, Texas) led things off with a triple to right field. After a walk to freshman Caitlyn Smith (Indianapolis, Ind.), Giuntoli scored on a RBI ground out by sophomore outfielder Kate Lorenzo (Omaha, Neb.). Freshman Anya Pothorski (Indianapolis, Ind.) then drove in Smith with a RBI single to center field as the Bison trailed 6-2.

The Gators scored three runs in the third and fourth to activate the eight-run mercy rule. The three runs in the fourth were all unearned as a Bison error on the first batter led to the three-run frame.

Pothorski took the loss in the circle as she allowed six runs on three hits and walked six in 1.2 innings. Freshman Kaci Ketchum (Austin, Texas) relieved Pothorski for the remainder of the game and surrendered six runs (three earned) on seven hits, three walks and struck out two.

Jessie Leatherwood (2-0) picked up the win as she allowed two runs on four hits, walked three and struck out three to record the complete game win.

Game 2: Notre Dame (Md.) 14, Gallaudet 3 (F/5)
Notre Dame wasted little time getting on the scoreboard when outfielder Dethani Newbold blasted a grand slam over the left field fence in the top of the first inning. The Gators led 5-0 early through two innings before the Bison responded with three runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Smith came through with a two-run single up the middle to drive home Ketchum and Giuntoli. Two batters later, freshman catcher Emily Nover (District Heights, Md.) grounded out to bring home Smith to cut the Gators lead to 5-3.

Notre Dame broke open the game in the top of the fourth with eight runs. Starting pitcher Kendall Snyder helped her own cause with a three-run double to center field as the Gators sent 13 batters to the plate and scored eight runs on seven hits and one Bison error. The Gators added one more run in the fifth inning as the temperature dropped and the winds picked up.

Ketchum (0-2) started in the circle and took the loss as she allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits and two walks through two innings. Pothorski came on to relieve Ketchum in the third inning. 

Snyder (1-0) earned the win as she threw a complete game and allowed three runs on six hits, walked two and struck out one.

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will open up United East Conference play on Friday, March 25, at home against Penn State Harrisburg (4-4). The first game begins at 3 p.m.