THOMASVILLE, N.C. – A pair of eight-run innings carried the 10
th-ranked Frostburg State baseball team past Gallaudet, 17-5, Saturday afternoon.
After the Bison (0-2) grabbed a 2-0 cushion with single runs in the third and fourth innings, the Bobcats exploded for eight runs in the fourth and seventh innings to take control of the game. FSU also added a single run in the sixth.
Seniors KJ Hockaday and Connor Cooper, along with junior Devin Bell each drove in three runs. Hockaday was 2-for-2 with three walks, a run and two stolen bases, while Cooper finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a two-run home run to left field in the fourth inning. Bell was 1-for-4 with three RBI, two runs and a walk.
Junior JT Tipton doubled down the left field line to lead off the fourth inning. He later scored the first run for Frostburg when Bell reached base on an error by the Bison outfield. Junior Brad Garrant then doubled home both Bell and Hockaday as the Bobcats assumed a 3-2 lead.
Cooper made it a 5-2 advantage for Frostburg when he homered to left field that scored Garrant. Tipton singled home senior Jamal Windom and later scored on a wild pitch, while sophomore Greg Schneider scored on an error to complete the eight-run fourth.
Gallaudet narrowed their deficit with two runs in the fifth and Hockaday singled home Tipton in the sixth as FSU led 9-4.
Gallaudet further inched closer to the Bobcats with a single run in the top of the seventh, but Frostburg sealed the victory with eight runs in the bottom of the frame. Hockaday and Bell each posted two-run singles, while Cooper tacked on an RBI single.
Tipton also posted an impressive outing as he finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and four runs scored. Sophomore Daniel Richardson collected the win in relief after tossing 2.1 innings with three strikeouts and one earned run. Junior Ryan Callahan earned the start and fanned three in 3.2 innings.
FSU plays Stevenson later on today at noon.