URBANA, Ohio -- Fairmont State took three out four games against Urbana with a sweep of Monday's doubleheader with the Blue Knights to move into a tie for second place in the Mountain East Conference Northern Division standings.
 
The Falcons and West Liberty Hilltoppers, both 16-8 in league play, will play a four-game series next weekend at West Liberty. Both teams are four-games back of Shepherd for the top sport in the North division standings.
 
The Falcons rolled to lopsided 8-1 and 11-0 wins over the Blue Knights on Monday afternoon, totaling three home runs in the doubleheader.
 
In game one with FSU trying to hold on to a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth, the Falcons scored six runs to put the game seemingly away with just one inning remaining.
 
Following an unearned run by Troy Kifer to make the score 3-1, Austin Norman came to the plate and homered to right field, clearing the loaded bases with a grand slam - his seventh home run of the season. Johnny Kesling wrapped up the scoring for the Falcons later in the inning with an RBI single to left center that scored Jacob Whitmore, pushing the final score to 8-1.
 
Luke Paull (5-2) pitched a complete game for the Falcons, allowing just one run on seven hits.
 
In game two, the Falcons were paced by six extra-base hits as the Falcons plated 11 runs in a shutout victory to wrap up the series.  Fairmont State totaled 13 hits on the afternoon and jumped out to a commanding 7-0 lead after just three innings of play.
 
Dorian Hetzel and Brooks Carr both homered in game two and Norman went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Norman drilled a triple to follow up his grand slam in game one of the doubleheader.
 
For the day, Norman went 3-for-8 with a home run, triple, five RBIs and three runs scored. The junior also stole a base in game two. Kesling drove in four runs on the day for the Falcons.
 
Tyler Holt moved to 1-1 on the season with a solid performance on the hill in game two. Holt pitched a six-inning, three-hitter before leaving the game with 99 total pitches. Holt struck out a pair of batters.
 
The Falcons (24-18) will return to action on Tuesday evening with a non-conference matchup with Salem International at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.