Shepherd still leads the Mountain East Conference baseball chase.

But after a “Lost Weekend” in Ohio against now-threatening Notre Dame, the Rams have seen their room for error disappear in the dust of a four-game sweep by the host Falcons.

Notre Dame subdued the Rams in consecutive doubleheaders — sweeping Saturday’s two games, 4-3 and 9-5, and coming back on Sunday to muffle Shepherd’s bats and take two more victories, this time by scores of 6-2 and 4-1.

Even in advancing four games against the once-imposing league lead the Rams held, Notre Dame still trails the Rams with its 16-6 record as opposed to Shepherd’s 23-7 conference mark.

Also moving menacingly after the Shepherd lead are West Virginia State (17-7), Concord (19-9) and West Liberty (13-8).

In the one-run loss in Saturday’s first game, Shepherd held a thin 2-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth. But the Falcons staged a three-run rally against the Rams’ pitcher, Sam Crater. Even though Crater allowed only two hits in his six-inning, complete-game effort the late-inning rally was enough for Notre Dame.

Shepherd had only six hits with Spencer Wolfe going 2-for-3.

Notre Dame handed Jamie Driver, now 6-1, his first loss of the season in Saturday’s nightcap. The Falcons had a five-run first inning.

Shepherd managed only four hits with Jacob Carney and Dom Wyshinski getting home runs.

On Sunday, a four-running third inning in the first game against Shepherd pitcher Bryan DiRosario carried the Falcons to a 6-2 win. The loss was DiRosario’s first of the season and he was 6-1.

Wyshinski homered again for the slumping Rams. Shepherd managed seven hits.

Notre Dame completed its second sweep of the weekend with a 4-1 win in a game where the Rams could muster only five hits in the nightcap.

Notre Dame had a 4-0 lead after two innings against Shepherd starter John Bentley.

Many of the Shepherd starters who began the series with either .500-plus, .400-plus or .300-plus batting averages were held in check.

Tre Porter was 0-for-10, Daniel Heleine was 1-for-12, Zane Bard finished 1-for-9, Bryce Shemer was 1-for-7, Matt Wilson completed his weekend with a 2-for-12 showing and Wolfe was also 2-for-12. Only J. J. Sarty (6-for-13), Wyshinski (4-for-9) and Carney (4-for-13) had much success against the Falcon pitchers.