Phoenixville, PA - The University of Valley Forge Softball team hosted the Gators of Notre Dame of Maryland University on Saturday afternoon for a conference double-header. The Patriots secured the first win of the season in the first frame with a 5-4 final score. Notre Dame took the second game 6-5, respectively. 

GAME ONE: 5-4 VALLEY FORGE
Despite having a scoreless game after 3 1/2 innings, Valley Forge struck in the bottom half of the third after an error in right field, placing sophomore Jaeleen Mendoza on second. Mendoza sole third base, forcing the catcher to throw. With the Gators unable handle the throw, Mendoza scored on the error, and gave Valley Forge a 1-0 advantage. Notre Dame responded in the top of the fourth with 2 runs on 3 hits, claiming the 2-1 lead. However, the Patriots put on their rally caps, collecting 4 runs on 3 hits and1 error in the bottom. Laura Medio started the rally with a single to right field, followed by a hard hit single from Abigail Foor, advancing Medio to third. After another Gator throwing error, Medio scored, and Foor found third base. Tied 2-2, senior Jordyn Clarke reached on a fielder's choice, and recorded an RBI after Foor scored. Lizbeth Fernandez stepped up to the plate and singled to center, advancing Clarke to third. Junior Jazmin Gruda continued the offensive run with a hit to the pitcher, forcing a throwing error that advanced her to second base and scored Clarke. First-year played Maribell Dominguez hit a hard hit to center field that resulted in a Gator error, allowed Gruda to cross home plate and Dominguez to find third. Mendoza attempted to keep the rally going with an impressive line drive to the pitcher, but Gators were able to record the third out to end the inning. 

Notre Dame put up 2 runs un the sixth inning, but it wouldn't be enough as the Patriots took home the 5-4 win.

Valley Forge composed 5 runs on 9 hits and 2 RBI's. Blythers, Medio, and Foor all tallied two hits at the plate. 

Laura Medio earned her first win on the mound as a Patriot with a career-high 10 strikeouts. 

GAME TWO: 6-5 NOTRE DAME 
Game two was an absolute nail biter as both teams were able to find the board. The Gators took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first off of 2 hits and 1 Valley Forge error. However, the Patriots stepped up the plate and took a 3-2 lead in the bottom half of the inning with hits from Dominguez and Blythers. 

Notre Dame evened the score in the second with two outs. Valley Forge took the run back with Dominguez scoring on an error. 

Down 3-4, Notre Dame forced a tie in the fourth inning with 1 run on 3 hits. The Gators had bases loaded with two outs, but the Patriots were able to stop their short rally. Notre Dame took their largest lead of the game in the top of sixth after scoring 2 runs on 1 hit and 1 error. 

Down 2, and with the game on the line, Dominguez singled to third base and advanced to second on an error. In similar fashion to game one, Dominguez stole third and forced a Gator throwing error, advancing her to home. Although only down by a solo run, Valley Forge failed to continue their scoring rally and fell to the Gators 6-5 in the second game.  

Dominguez led the Patriots at the plate with three hits. 

In the loss, Medio collected 7 strikeouts. 

Valley Forge will travel to Morristown, NJ on Wednesday, April 14th for a matchup with the Eagels of St. Elizabeth University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00, with the second game to follow.