FLORENCE, S.C. – The Frostburg State softball team split in their double header in their first day of the Fox Sizzler Tournament in Florence, S.C. The Bobcats took the win against Emmanuel 5-3, but fell to Queens 1-9.
Game 1:
In game one against Emmanuel, the Bobcats came out of the gates hot in the top of the first inning. After junior Sam Carver led off the game with a single and got to third on a sacrifice bunt and a stolen base, sophomore Amber Keene brought her home on a single to right field to open the scoring.
Junior Taylor McCarty would plate the second run of the inning on a single up the middle which brought home Keene to make it 2-0 Bobcats. Senior Claire Hanlon followed with a bases loaded walk, bringing home Kennadie Batchelor with the third Bobcat run. FSU would make it 4-0 after a wild pitch from Emmanuel's Sloan Hammon allowed first-year Brianna Powell to cross the plate.
Keene would knock in her second run in as many innings in the top of the second with a sacrifice fly that scored junior Kat Treff to make the lead for FSU 5-0.
Emmanuel would get on the board in the bottom of the third inning, as a wild pitch from first-year Shawna Leonard scored Ryanne White to make the score 5-1.
Leonard would record back-to-back 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and fifth innings, but would allow a second Lion to cross the plate in the sixth. Lexie Tallen roped a double down to left field to drive in a run and cut Emmanuel's deficit to three. Leonard would get out of the inning by forcing a groundout.
Emmanuel would tack on another run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an RBI single from Mackensie Ho, but Leonard was able to strike out Lily Shelton swinging to end the ball game and give the Bobcats the season opening win.
Leonard went the distance in game one, pitching all seven innings while striking out five and allowing just four hits.
Game 2:
Frostburg took on Queens University of Charlotte for their second game of the day on Saturday.
The Bobcats fell early in the game as Queens jumped out to take the lead 7-0 in the three and a half innings.
Frostburg got on the board when sophomore Amber Keene scored after senior Claire Hanlon singled to center field and tallied an RBI.
Keene, juniors Kat Treff and Taylor McCarty, and senior Claire Hanlon all recorded hits in the first five innings.
Junior Emily Talbert started on the mound for the Bobcats throwing for three innings and facing 15 batters. McCarty pitched the final two innings facing 13 batters. Each pitcher threw one strike out.
Frostburg's efforts weren't enough as they fell to Queens 9-1.
The Bobcats return to action tomorrow to take on Emmanuel and Francis Marion at 10:00 a.m and 12:00 p.m.
