WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. - The Frostburg State Softball team split an MEC North Division doubleheader against West Liberty that pitted the two division leaders by scores of 2-1 and 1-2.
In game one, the Hilltoppers got to sophomore southpaw Sydney Theobald in the first inning as they pushed across a run to take the lead, though Theobald was dominant from there on in.
Frostburg's offense put runners on base in each of the first four innings, but weren't able to get the key hit to drive in a run until the fifth. Freshman Laura Gilford led off by reaching on an error and moved to third after a groundout by sophomore Sierra Sanderson, then was later driven in by junior Brianna Powell to even it up at 1-1.
The game would go quiet for the rest of regulation as both pitching staffs worked effectively. WLU had the best opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the seventh, as they put runners on the corners with two outs, but Theobald stood firm and got a groundout to take things into extra innings.
The Bobcats started off the eighth inning with two quick outs, but freshman Jayla Hill got things going with a hard-hit single up the middle. Senior Ava Gnibus would come through in the clutch as she laced a ball to center that snuck its way behind the Hilltopper center fielder, as Hill raced around the bases to score the go-ahead run on the error in dramatic fashion.
Theobald would retire the West Liberty lineup in order in the bottom half of the eighth to secure the victory for Frostburg 2-1, as she went all eight innings without allowing an earned run while fanning six. With the victory, she improves her record to 9-7 on the year. Despite strong pitching performances from West Liberty, Hill and Gnibus both contributed two hits to lead the Bobcat offense, with Powell getting the lone RBI.
Game two went similarly as another pitching duel, this time with freshman Jamie Roberts in the circle for FSU. West Liberty again took a quick lead with a run in the first, then scored again in the fourth to take a 2-0 lead, holding the Frostburg offense in check.
The offense finally ignited in the sixth, as Gilford again led off with a single and advanced to third on a groundout by Sanderson. Roberts helped her own cause by singling through the left side and driving in Gilford to cut the lead in half at 2-1, though were unable to complete the comeback in the seventh for the eventual loss.
Gilford led the offense with two hits, with Roberts working solid on the mound, only allowing three hits in four innings while driving in a run at the plate. Freshman Katie Chapple threw two scoreless innings of relief, allowing only one hit and striking out one batter.
With the split, Frostburg moves to 24-15 on the year with a 19-9 conference record, while West Liberty moves to 25-19-1 with an MEC record of 15-10. The Bobcats will be back in action on Tuesday, April 26 in a home non-conference doubleheader against Shepherd starting at 2:00 p.m. For more information on Frostburg Athletics, visit www.frostburgsports.com.
