Newcomers pitch in
Falcons split at Cumberlands

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - Notre Dame got a pair of strong pitching performances Saturday in the form of two newcomers - righthander Ken Fields (Sr/North Olmsted, OH) and lefthander Mick Robinson (Jr/Canal Winchester, OH). The two transfers (from Myers and Rio Grande, respectively) combined to toss 12 innings of six-run ball, as Notre Dame (1-2) split with the University of the Cumberlands (KY) Saturday afternoon. NDC dropped the opening game, 3-2, before taking the nightcap, 9-3.

Game one (UC 3, NDC 2)
In the opener, Patriot starter Tyler Lee (Jr/Mt. Sterling, KY) held the Falcons to just five hits. He went the route, striking out six without issuing a walk NDC got to Lee for their two runs in the fourth.

For Notre Dame (1-2), Mick Robinson nearly matched Lee. The Falcon southpaw, pitching in his first game, went six innings and struck out five while walking a pair.

The one-run affair was spotless defensively, with no errors by either side. The Patriots outpaced the Falcons in reaching base; UC reached nine times to NDC's five.

Game two (UC 3, NDC 2)
Notre Dame rapped 11 hits in the nightcap to earn their first victory of the young season. Senior Cory O'Keefe (Sheffield Lake, OH) reached base three times, with a pair of singles and a walk. Teammate Eric Pelot (Jr/Lakewood, OH) banged out a double, a single , and two RBI's, as NDC chased Cumberlands' (6-3) starter Chris Short (Sr/Willwood, MO) after four.

NDC's Ken Fields pitched six innings of three-run ball for the win.

NOTES FROM THE NEST...

PATRIOTIC: The Cumberlands Patriots are the defending Mid South Conference Champions. They sported a 39-16 record a year ago and earned their fourth trip to the NAIA Regional Tournament (Region XI) in five years. Two years ago, the Patriots reached a No. 18 ranking in the NAIA Coaches' Poll.