FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State softball team picked up two wins against Wesley today in doubleheader action. The Bobcats won, 9-1, in five innings in game one and came back to win, 13-8, in game two.
With two wins today over Wesley, (10-10, 3-3 CAC) the Bobcats (16-6, 4-0 CAC), have won seven-straight games including a perfect 4-0 Capital Athletic Conference and home record.
Senior Renay Aubel led the Bobcat offense in both games; she finished the day 5-for-6, totaled eight RBI, a homerun and a triple. Sophomore Sam Gatton finished 4-for-5 between both games, including a perfect 4-for-4 finish in game two. She totaled two RBI, a double and her first homerun of the season. Sophomore Rae Harrison (2-for-6) also picked up her first homerun of the season.
On the mound, sophomore Allison Short earned her fifth win of the season in game one, and also was credited with her first save of the season in game two. Short totaled four strikeouts and only allowed one run in 7.0 innings pitched between both ball games. Freshman Ali Caulkins picked up her first career win the second game. She threw for 4.0 innings and struck out three batters.
FSU dominated the entire first game, starting with an RBI single from senior Taylor Blevins in the first inning to give the Bobcats a 1-0 advantage.
With the bases loaded in the second inning, Tavik was hit by a pitch which allowed Gatton to score, giving FSU its second run.
Aubel hit a big triple into left field; FSU scored three runners on the play and jumped out to a 5-0 led in the second inning.
The Wolverines scored their lone run in the third inning from an RBI single from Ashley Royer.
FSU scored two more runs in the fourth inning to earn a six-run advantage. First, junior Emily Zengel hit an RBI single up the middle to score Short. Aubel followed with an RBI single to left field to put seven runs on the board for the Bobcats.
In the fifth inning, short hit an RBI triple to score Gatton. Senior Allison Williams ended the game with an RBI single to left field to give FSU the 9-1 victory.
In game two, the Wolverines jumped out to an early lead, scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. However, FSU reciprocated in the bottom of the inning, earning six wins to take over the lead, 6-5.
With runners on second and third in the bottom of the first, Caulkins walked and junior Jessica Dubbs scored on a wild pitch to get FSU on the board. Aubel followed with an RBI single to close the gap on Wesley. Gatton singled down the right field line and scored Caulkins to make it 5-3 ball game. Frostburg took the lead after Harrison smashed a three-run homerun and FSU ended the first inning with a one-run advantage.
Wesley's Kayla Fromal homered in the top of the second to knot the game, 6-6. However, FSU used a big second inning to take back the lead and pull away from the Wolverines.
Two runners scored from an Aubel single to center field in the second inning, and FSU gained an 8-6 advantage over the Wolverines. Williams knocked in a two-run double to left field and the Bobcats ended the second inning, 10-6.
Wesley tried to close the gap in the fourth inning, scoring two more runs to make it a 10-8 ball game.
In the fourth inning, Harrison hit an RBI single to give FSU a three-run advantage.
Homeruns from Aubel in the fifth inning and Gatton in the sixth inning ultimately sealed the 13-8 victory for the Bobcats.
Wesley's Fromal (3-for-4) and Nina Marcano (3-for-4) had two RBI a piece in the second game. Sydney Botsch, Lily Engel and Lindsay Siok all saw time in the circle for the Wolverines in game two.
The Frostburg State softball team will return to action Wednesday, April 6 for a doubleheader against Shenandoah. Opening pitch is set to start at 3:00 pm.
