FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Softball team hosted the West Liberty Hilltoppers for a Saturday doubleheader, splitting the series with a 7-3 loss in game one and winning game two 5-2.

In the first game, sophomore Sydney Theobald took to the circle for Frostburg, having to work early on. WLU loaded the bases with nobody out, but Theobald was able to work out of the jam, helped out by some solid defense, to only allow one run.

Frostburg struggled offensively early on against Hilltopper starter Mackenzie Amend, one of the top pitchers in the conference, but freshman Laura Gilford got the bats going for FSU in the bottom of the fourth, sending her first collegiate home run out of the park for the first Bobcat hit of the game. Freshman Jayla Hill reached base on a one-out single to center field, then freshman Jamie Roberts showed her power, sending her first career homer out to dead center to take a 3-1 lead.

The Hilltoppers would answer in the fifth, scoring two runs and tying the game at 3-3, though Theobald again did well to limit the damage, getting a groundout to end the half inning with the bases loaded. 

The Bobcats threatened in the sixth after a double from freshman Adriana Wimmer and a pair of singles from senior Brianna Powell and Hill, but WLU reliever Taylor Bonnett worked out of the jam without giving up a run. West Liberty took advantage in the top of the seventh, plating four runs to take a 7-3 advantage, then holding FSU scoreless to secure the game one win.

Theobald pitched the complete game, tallying six strikeouts, while Roberts led the offense with the two-run home run.

In game two, freshman Katie Chapple was on the mound for Frostburg, as West Liberty once again struck early in the game, scoring a run in the top of the first. FSU quickly responded in the bottom of the inning, as Gilford opened with a double, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Powell knocked in a single, allowing Gilford to cross the plate and tie the game at 1-1.

WLU went onto add one more run in the top of the third inning with some opportunistic small ball, but Chapple shut down their offense from that point, allowing the Bobcat offense to answer in the bottom of the fifth. Hill added another single, then stole second and went on to advance to third base on a wild pitch. Powell reached base after drawing a walk, then Roberts came up with another big hit, allowing Hill to score and advancing Powell to third. Powell would then go on cross the plate on a wild pitch, giving FSU a 3-2 lead going into the sixth inning.

In the top of the sixth, Chapple worked efficiently, going three up, three down, then was helped by her offense in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Kennadie Batchelor opened the inning with a single, followed by Sanderson placing a perfect bunt, reaching first base and allowing Batchelor to advance to second. Wimmer had the big hit, launching double to left-center and scoring Batchelor and Sanderson, bringing the Bobcat lead to 5-2. The Hilltoppers attempted a comeback in the top of the seventh, beginning with a leadoff single, but the next batter lined out to Hill in left, then Powell made a brilliant play, catching an infield pop-up and throwing to first with the runner attempting to advance for the game-ending double play.

Chapple grabbed her team-leading seventh win, striking out six Hilltoppers on the day, while allowing just two runs on five hits. Roberts again was big at the plate, going 2-3 with an RBI, while Hill was 2-4 with a run scored and Wimmer had a game-high two RBI. 

The split lands the Bobcats at 13-8 on the season, while West Liberty now stands at 17-12-1, as FSU holds a game advantage over the Hilltoppers in the MEC North Division, with an 8-2 conference record to WLU's 7-3. Frostburg will be back in action on Monday, April 4, as they host Wheeling for a doubleheader at Bobcat Field, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. For more news on the Bobcats visit frostburgsports.com.