SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (29-13, 19-5 MEC) dropped a pair of games to Notre Dame (21-23, 15-11) in MEC baseball doubleheader action at Fairfax Field on Saturday. The Falcons earned a 6-3 win in game one and added a 5-4 victory in the nightcap.

The Falcons plated three runs in the fifth to break a 3-3 tie and gain the win in game one. Naja Garcia had a two-run single to key the rally.

Zach Santoro, Adam Purdy, Lukas Thompson and Garcia each had two hits for the Falcons.

Sophomore outfielder Jared Carr (Martinsburg, W.Va./St. James School) went 2-for-3 to lead the Rams. Graduate student third baseman Syeed Mahdi (Odenton, Md./Arundel/Norfolk State) added a two-run homer.

Tyler Gault (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 K, 5 BB) (6-4) earned the win. Todd Marshall got the save (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R 1 K, 1 BB). Junior pitcher Mitchell Wilson (Hagerstown, Md./St. James School/UMBC) (4.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 K, 2 BB) (6-2) took the loss.

Shepherd took a 2-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap as senior catcher Eddie Nottingham (Windsor Mill, Md./Mt. St. Joseph's/Catonsville CC) drove in a run and scored another to key the scoring.

The Rams got an RBI-single from Carr in the second to take a 3-0 advantage.

Notre Dame rallied with five runs in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. Garcia had  a two-run double to key the rally.

Shepherd added a run in the fifth as junior shortstop Trenton Burgreen (Winchester, Va./Millbrook) reached on a single  and later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior outfielder Brenton Doyle (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run).

Ricky Phillips and Nick Farrell each had two hits for the Falcons.

Carr had a 3-for-3 effort to pace the Rams.

Kenny Pierson (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 K, 0 BB) (4-5) gained the win. Marshall (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 K, 2 BB) added his second save of the day. Senior Ryan Potts (Owings, Md./Northern) (6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 11 K, 3 BB) (6-3) took the loss for the Rams.

The two teams are slated to return to action on Sunday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Fairfax Field.