FROSTBURG, Md. –  The Frostburg State Baseball team moved into double digits in the win category with their Friday sweep of West Virginia Wesleyan in their first games at Bob Wells Field in 2022. 

 

In game one, Frostburg came out swinging as they put up a whopping eight runs in the first inning to gain a commanding lead. Back-to-back walks from freshman Danny Estrada and junior Trevor Jones paved the way for a crushed three-run home run off the bat of senior Bryce Jackson for a 3-0 lead with no one out. FSU loaded the bases, but WVWC worked two outs to limit some damage, though it wouldn't last long. Freshman Christian Shertzer struck a ball that the third baseman couldn't handle, resulting in a run, then Estrada hit a two-RBI single to right and stole second shortly after, allowing Shertzer to score as the ball hit Estrada. Another error off the bat of Jones plated the final run for the 8-0 inning lead.  

 

Sophomore Aidan Duda capitalized on more Wesleyan mishaps to drive in another run in the second. WVWC was able to get to junior starter Jack Maruskin in the top of the third, putting up a run to bring sophomore Nick Trey on in relief. Trey struck out the next batter to limit any damage and keep FSU with a healthy 9-1 lead.  

 

Jackson added onto his day in the fifth, driving in both Shertzer and Estrada after both drew walks and moved up on a balk for an 11-1 lead. Junior Ethan Kiple put the cherry on top of the offense with a two-run homer on the next at-bat to come up with 13 runs on the day.  

 

Freshman Cale Huyer came on to shut out Wesleyan over the final two innings, as he and Trey finished the final 4.1 innings allowing no runs for the 13-1 victory.  

 

Game two didn't start like game one, as Wesleyan got out to an early 2-0 lead after the top of the second inning. Frostburg would answer in the bottom of the second, as sophomore Chase O'Dell walked and stole second to put a runner in scoring position before freshman Ben Wieman laced a double to left field to put FSU on board, still trailing 2-1.   

 

Kiple would strike again in the second game, driving in Jones from second after a double to even up the score at 2-2. Frostburg would break the game open in the fifth, as Estrada led off and cranked a no-doubter to right field to give Frostburg a 3-2 lead. After a Jackson walk, Kiple would stay hot with a double to center to drive in Jackson. O'Dell singled but Kiple was held up at third on the play. O'Dell then took off to steal second and after some Wesleyan miscues, O'Dell ended up on third base and Kiple walked home to make the score 5-2. After another defensive miscue, O'Dell trotted home to take the lead 6-2.  

Frostburg would add an insurance run in the sixth as O'Dell would drive in Estrada with a bases-loaded walk.  Wesleyan would try to mount a comeback in the seventh, but it was halted as FSU took game two 7-3.  
 

Junior Will Grove was stellar on the mound as he picked up his fourth victory of the season (4-0). He went five innings, only giving up one run and striking out four batters.  

 
With the victories, Frostburg moves to 11-3 on the year and Wesleyan drops to 0-13. FSU will be right back at Bob Wells Stadium on Sunday, March 20 as they take on Davis & Elkins in a twinbill starting at 1:00 P.M. For more information on Frostburg Athletics, visit www.frostburgsports.com.