FROSTBURG, Md. – Senior Clayton Freimuth matched a career-high 14 strikeouts as he led the top-seeded Frostburg State baseball team to a 4-1 victory over sixth-seeded Christopher Newport in the opening round of the 2015 Capital Athletic Conference tournament, Wednesday afternoon.
After giving up a run in the first inning off an RBI-single from A.J. Nicely, Freimuth allowed just two CNU (15-13) base runners to reach third from the second inning on for his second complete game of the year. In his nine innings, Freimuth posted three 1-2-3 innings and allowed just six hits.
Frostburg (28-3) posted its first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 1-1. Sophomore JT Tipton and freshman Greg Schneider walked to put the first two runners of the frame on before moving over a base each thanks to a sacrifice bunt from senior Ricky Castro. Senior Zach Weiss sent a long fly ball to right center to bring home Tipton and knot the game.
The Bobcats took their first lead of the game as senior Lane Farmer drew a walk to load the bases. Junior Connor Cooper grounded into a double play but allowed senior Ricky Brady to score as FSU led 2-1.
The two teams traded a scoreless seventh before the offense gave Freimuth a little breathing room with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Senior Nick Walker led off the inning getting hit by a pitch and promptly stole second and advanced to third as the Captain pitcher threw the ball away trying to pick him off. Junior Zach Keeler singled through the left side to bring home Walker. Junior Jamaal Windom came out to pinch run for Keeler and moved to second on Farmer's ground out. Junior pinch hitter Jeremy Remalia singled through the right side to bring home Windom and give FSU a 4-1 cushion.
Freimuth gave up a lead-off single to Craig Johnson in the ninth but came back and struck out the side to end the game for Frostburg State.
Freimuth went the full 9.0 innings with 14 strikeouts, six hits and just one walk to earn his ninth win of the season while Adam Emerson took the loss for CNU after going 5.0 innings and allowing two runs on two hits and six walks. Emerson struck out seven.
Remalia, Keeler and Weiss each collected an RBI for FSU.
Frostburg State returns to action when the Bobcats face fourth-seeded Marymount at 12:30 in the second round of the CAC tournament. Marymount lost to Mary Washington, 12-7, in its opening round game. Christopher Newport faces elimination as the Captains take on fifth-seeded Wesley at 9:00 am at Bob Wells Field. Wesley lost to No. 2 Salisbury in 11 innings in its opening round game.
