MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - The Frostburg State softball team earned its first two victories of the season against the Salem Tigers. This improves the Bobcats record to 2-3 and moves the Tigers to 1-7
Frostburg got the bats going early when first-year Katie Ernst doubled to left in the first inning. The top of the first ended with a runner stranded on second and third. First-year Sydney Theobald took the circle for the Bobcats and got her first strikeout of the game to end the inning.
After giving up a run in the top of the second the Bobcats responded in a big way. FSU was able to total nine runs on seven hits in the third. Senior Sam Carver had a single through the left side that started off the scoring. Carver knocked in Ernst, who reached base after being hit by a pitch. The inning was capped off with a double from senior Taylor McCarty, which brought home the Bobcats ninth run.
In the third and fourth innings, Theobald was able to face the minimum number of batters. The Bobcats added one more run in the fifth to make the score 10-1. Frostburg got its first win of the season by the mercy rule since they were up by more than eight runs after the fifth inning.
Frostburg kept things rolling in the second game. Sophomore Brianna Powell led the game off with a triple and later scored on an RBI from Ernst. A second run was scored in the first when Carver doubled to center, knocking in junior Kennadie Batchelor. After Theobald only gave up two hits in the first game, sophomore Shawna Leonard took the ball for the Bobcats in game two. Leonard didn't break stride, facing the minimum through the first four innings and striking out three.
The Bobcats added runs in the second and third to stretch the lead to four. Frostburg struck again with two runs in the fifth on a Powell single that scored senior Aliyah Ramey and junior Ava Gnibus. This gave FSU a six run lead. Frostburg added one more run in the seventh on an RBI from first-year Emily Hughes to earn the 7-0 win.
Leonard earned the win by only giving up three hits with five strikeouts. Gnibus ended the second game with an impressive stat line going 3-4 at the plate, scoring two runs and having stolen three bases.
The Bobcats play again on their home opener, March 20th, against Davis & Elkins. Game times are set for 12:00and 2:30 p.m. For up-to-date information, or to watch the game or follow live stats, go to www.frostburgsports.com