ETTRICK, Va. – The Frostburg State Softball team rounded out their weekend by traveling to take on Virginia State for a Sunday doubleheader, sweeping the Trojans 8-1 and 12-2.
In game one, senior Kennadie Batchelor opened the game with a single, then stole second base. Freshman Jamie Roberts, who also got her first start of the year on the mound, followed with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error as Batcelor was able to score from second.
The Bobcats would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the second after sophomore Katie Ernst opened the inning with a single to right field. Sophomore Ryann Darling added a single, advancing to second on another error that also drove in Ernst. Sophomore Sierra Sanderson came up to get a hit, advancing Darling to third, with Batchelor getting a sac fly to center field, allowing Darling to cross the plate. The Bobcats would score again in the third on a Darling single that drove in sophomore Emily Hughes, leaving the score 4-0 after the top of the third.
The FSU offense scored three runs in the top of the sixth, fueled by a one-out Darling triple to right field. Sanderson would get the RBI on a sacrifice fly to center. Freshman Laura Gilford and Batchelor both tacked on singles, along with each stealing a base, allowing freshman Jayla Hill to hit a two-RBI double, scoring both Batchelor and Gilford. In the seventh, senior Brianna Powell doubled down the left field line and went on to score on another Darling single, bringing the score to 8-0 in the middle of the seventh inning. Virginia State would get one late run in the bottom of the inning, with a final score of 8-1 Frostburg.
Roberts went the distance, allowing just the one run while striking out five for her first collegiate victory. Darling led the offense with a 4-4 game at the plate with three RBI.
In game two, the Bobcats would open the game by loading the bases after an opening error by VSU. This would be followed by a single from sophomore Sydney Theobald, who got the start on the mound, and a walk from Hill. Powell stepped up and got a solid bat on ball, pounding a three-RBI triple down the left field line to clear the bases. Freshman Adrianna Wimmer would keep the triples coming, as she hit a shot into center field to drive Powell home. Wimmer would also come across the plate as the result of a double from freshman Cristina Sommerkamp, as FSU took early command with a score of 5-0.
Virginia State would answer in the bottom of the second inning, bringing two runs across the plate, while holding the Frostburg offense quiet until a massive fourth inning. FSU would once again would load the bases early in the fourth after singles from both Sanderson and Batchelor and a hit-by-pitch on Theobald. Roberts would come through, pounding a double down the left field line, driving in two Bobcat runs. Powell added a double for another RBI on her day and would go on to score as a result of another Virginia State error. Sommerkamp drove in the final two runs of the game as she shot a double into center field, plating Wimmer and senior Ava Gnibus, leaving the score at 12-2.
VSU wasn't able to put up any offense in their final half inning, ending the game by way of mercy rule. Theobald would get the win, pitching three innings and allowing just two hits with two strikeouts. Freshman Katie Chapple came on in relief, pitching a near-perfect two innings with a lone baserunner put on by way of a walk.
Sunday's wins improve the Bobcats to 5-6 on the season, while VSU falls to 2-4. Frostburg will be back in action next weekend as they travel to Tennesse on Saturday, March 12 for a doubleheader against King with games at 1 and 3 PM. For more news on the Bobcats visit https://frostburgsports.com/
