CHESTERTOWN, Md. – A five-run fourth inning enabled the Frostburg State baseball team to overcome an early four-run deficit and go on to defeat Washington College by a score of 11-6, Friday.

Box Score

The Bobcats (11-3) found themselves in an early 4-0 hole after the Shoremen (7-6) scored a single run in the first and three two-out runs in the second. But as Frostburg has proven several times this season, no lead is safe for opposing teams.

FSU came back with a two-out rally of its own in the fourth, as it put together three hits, a walk, and was aided by two hit batters and a fielding error by Washington. After senior Dylan Shupe and junior Kam Stewart reached by a walk and a hit-by-pitch, junior Ricky Brady came through with a two-RBI double to right field. Later in the inning, after Frostburg had scored its third run of the game on a fielding error, junior Zach Weiss doubled down the left field line with the bases loaded to plate two more runs and give the Bobcats a lead they would not relinquish.

Frostburg picked up single runs in the sixth and seventh to extend the lead to 7-4. Junior Ricky Castro picked up an RBI single in the sixth and Stewart scored on a wild pitch in the seventh after tripling to center field with one out. 

The Shoremen were still fighting as they made it a one-run game in the seventh with two runs. Scott Matthews knocked in the first run with a double off the fence in center field, and Bryan Baquer drove in the second with an RBI groundout.

In the eight, Frostburg was once again able to put together a two-out rally. This time the Bobcats were able to put the game to bed with four two-out runs. Shupe got the rally started with a single to shortstop, and after a walk and hit batter he came home on a wild pitch. Two batters later, sophomore Zach Keeler came to the plate with the bags full and delivered the knockout punch with a bases-clearing double to right center.

Sophomore Zach Lawhorn closed the door on Washington, as he pitched the final 2.1 innings for FSU to record his first save of the season. Lawhorn allowed no hits and retired four of the seven batters he faced via the strikeout.

The winning pitcher for the Bobcats was sophomore Connor Cooper (1-0), who surrendered just one hit and recorded one strikeout in a strong two innings of work.

Offensively for Frostburg, eight players picked up at least one hit. Keeler led the way with three RBIs and two runs scored on a 2-for-5 day at the plate. Shupe went 2-for-5 as well and scored two runs. Stewart led FSU with three runs scored on a 1-for-2 day with two walks. Brady and senior Rob Jennings each went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, while Brady also chipped in two RBIs.

For the Shoremen, Tom Mattaini fell to 1-1 on the season after allowing five runs (two earned) in 4.1 innings of work. Matthews led the Washington offense after going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs.

The Bobcats return to the field tomorrow for a doubleheader against Marymount, which will be played at Gallaudet and begin at 1:00 pm.