SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Mercyhurst softball team fell 4-3 and 8-0 to Notre Dame Ohio on Thursday.
 
The Lakers are back in action on March 24 when they head to Indiana, Pa for a double header starting at 1 p.m.
 
Notre Dame 4, Mercyhurst 3 (7 inn.)
After a scoreless first inning, Notre Dame scored four runs in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead. The Lakers then came back with three runs in the sixth, but it wasn't enough as Notre Dame held on for the win.
 
Jamie Ward and Pagie Crittela both went 2-for-3 for the Lakers. Ward, Chole McQuestion and Megan Minihane scored runs for the Lakers. Ellie Dougher had one hit while Ward also had the team's lone RBI.
 
Tori Pierucci went the distance for Mercyhurst pitching six innings while recorded four struck outs and two earned runs.
 
For Notre Dame, Kathryn Smith, McKenzie Zigmont, Halli Swiger and Maria Payne had runs. Smith, Swiger and Katelyn Rheude had one hit each.
 
Zigmont was the winning pitcher for Notre Dame. She tallied eight strikeouts and allowed one earned run.
 
Notre Dame 8, Mercyhurst 0
Notre Dame took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning before scoring three more runs in the fourth and the fifth innings.
 
Emma LeGrende went 1-for-2 while Alyssa Coons went 1-for-1 for Mercyhurst (2-17).
 
Laura Gregory pitched for Mercyhurst, striking out two batters and allowing six earned runs.
 
For Notre Dame (9-9), Samantha Flowers and Alexia Maciejowski had two runs each while single runs were earned by Taylor Olson, Kristen Peace, Kelsi Miske and Rheude. Rheude also lead the team with three RBI.
 
Olson was the winning pitcher with four strikeouts.