SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Shepherd University (15-5, 7-1 MEC) swept Notre Dame (10-12, 2-6 MEC) in MEC softball doubleheader action at Notre Dame on Sunday. The Rams posted an 8-6 win in game one and added a 7-3 victory in the nightcap.

Trailing 5-3 in the fourth inning in game one, Shepherd got a two-run double from senior outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) to tie the game.

Shepherd took a 6-5 lead in the fifth on a solo blast off the bat of senior pitcher/outfielder Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland).

The Falcons tied the game in the sixth on a solo homer by Alexis Maciejowski.

Shepherd got a pair of runs in the seventh on a two-run double by sophomore shortstop Ashley Burger (Hedgesville, W.Va./Spring Mills) to gain the victory.

Senior first baseman Connor Gilligan (Medford, N.J. Shawnee), Burger, and Sturgill each had a pair of hits for the Rams.

Mackenzie Zigmont had two hits for the Falcons.

Sophomore pitcher Cheyenne Van Pelt (South Riding, Va./Freedom) (3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 K, 1 BB) (3-0) earned the win in relief for the Rams. Zigmont (7.0 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 1 K, 5 BB) (5-6) took the loss.

Clinging to a 4-2 lead in the nightcap, Shepherd plated three runs in the fifth to take a 7-2 advantage. Senior catcher Rachel Taylor (Marshall, Va./Fauquier) had a sacrifice fly and Gilligan added an RBI-single to key the scoring.

The Falcons added a run in the sixth behind a sacrifice fly by Erin Calhoun.

Freshman third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and three runs scored to pace the Rams. Junior designated player Kayla Wilt (Hydman, Pa. Hydman/Potomac State) added a solo blast in the second inning.

Junior pitcher Taylor Stocks (Bunker Hill, W.Va./Musselman/Fordham (7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 7 K, 2 BB) (6-1) earned the win for the Rams. Taylor Olson (7.0 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 3 K, 2 BB) (5-6) took the loss.

The Rams return to action on Wednesday when they host Millersville for a 2:30 p.m. doubleheader.