SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (30-14, 20-6 MEC) split with Notre Dame (22-24, 16-12 MEC) in MEC baseball doubleheader action at Fairfax Field on Sunday. The Falcons earned a 2-1 win in game one, while the Rams gained the split with a 14-0 triumph in the nightcap.

The Rams took a 4-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap with a two-run double by junior designated hitter Christian Hamel (Pasadena, Md./IMG Academy) keying the rally.

After plating a run in the third, Shepherd added three in the fourth behind an RBI-single by junior outfielder Brenton Doyle (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) and a two-run double by senior catcher Eddie Nottingham (Windsor Mill, Md./Mt. St. Joseph's/Catonsville CC).

Shepherd completed the scoring with six runs in the fifth. Junior first baseman Justin Smith (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg/Hagerstown CC) and Hamel had RBI-singles and graduate student third baseman Syeed Mahdi (Odenton, Md./Arundel/Norfolk State) added a grand slam.

Nottingham went 3-for-3 to lead a 12-hit attack for the Rams.

Nick Farrell went 3-for-3 for the Falcons.

Junior pitcher Ryan Marketell (Webster, N.Y./Webster/Monroe CC) (6.0 IP, 7 H, 8 K, 1 BB) (3-1) gained the win for the Rams. Chris Murphy (3.1 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 K, 5 BB) (2-3) took the loss for the Falcons.

Notre Dame took a 2-0 lead in the second in game one as Naja Garcia drove in a run and scored another when Zach Santoro grounded into a double play.

Shepherd got a run in the fourth as Mahdi walked, stole second, and later scored on a single off the bat of Hamel.\

Ty Shoaff (7.0 IP, 2 H, 1  ER, 7 K, 5 BB) (6-4) gained the win for Notre Dame. Junior pitcher Steve Bowley (Medford, N.J./Holy Cross Academy/Cumberland County) (7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 K, 3 BB) (6-2) took the loss.

The Rams return to action on Friday when they travel to Fairmont State for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.