Clermont, Fla.- The Georgian Court University softball team enjoyed its first taste of quenching victory this season as the Lions split with Notre Dame College (Ohio) and Gannon University Tuesday afternoon at the 2014 NTC Games.

GAME ONE 

The Lions opened the afternoon with an immediate 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning vs. Notre Dame College after CF Dara Schroeder led off the game with a single up the middle, advanced to second on an error by the NDC center-fielder, stole third base, and scored on a Briana Molino base hit.

After a scoreless second frame, the Falcons (5-4) put a two-out, three-spot on the Lions in the bottom half of the third after a two-run double by RF Jessica Cavallero (Sr.-Rohnert Park, Calif.) and a ribbie single from C Maria Vanadia (Fr.-Medina, Ohio).

GCU (1-5) countered with a two-out, three-run rally of its own in the top of the fourth inning highlighted by Molino's first home run of the season ... a blast to straight-away center field.

With the Lions owning a 4-3 advantage, Notre Dame tied the affair at 4-all in the bottom of the fifth on a GCU wild pitch. Georgian Court regained the lead at 5-4 in the top of the sixth courtesy of a Taylor McDonough RBI single through the right side.

As GCU saw victory on the horizon, the Falcons immediately deleted that image as they plated five runs on five hits in the bottom of the six to seal the win.

Ashley Hall (Jr.-North Canton, Ohio) earned the triumph for Notre Dame, permitting four runs (4 ER) on five hits and two walks in 5.0 innings of relief. She also struck out two.

Deanna Daluise (0-3) suffered the defeat, allowing nine runs (5 ER) on nine hits and three walks 5.1 IP. The senior K'd six, striking out the side in the fourth.

Schroeder (3-for-5, 3 R), Molino (2-for-2, 4 RBI) and McDonough (2-for-4, RBI) all enjoyed multi-hit efforts.

GAME TWO

GCU again struck first blood in the inning one of the night cap as the Lions to a 1-0 lead on an error by the Gannon University second baseman. Emma Erbig made the score 2-0 Georgian Court in the home-half of the third inning before the team broke it open with a four-spot in the sixth.

Tina Morgan (1-1) was outstanding in the circle, yielding just two late-inning runs (2 ER) on five hits and three walks in 6.1 innings of work. Up 6-1 with the bases-loaded, Daluise came on for the two-out save.

Molino completed a 6-for-6 afternoon with four more hits while Schroeder went 6-for-9 with an additional three hits. Freshman DP Kelli Hardiman enjoyed a 1-for-2 effort with two runs and two RBI.

Georgian Court takes Wednesday off before returning to the diamond Thursday morning vs. Queens College (N.Y.) at 9:00 a,m. and Southern Connecticut State University at 11:00 a.m.