FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Softball team swept their Monday doubleheader against Wheeling by final scores of 7-4 and 12-1.
 
Sophomore Sydney Theobald got the start in game one and was made to work early, as the Cardinals put runners on second and third with one out. They took the lead with a fielder's choice, but Theobald limited the damage by getting out of the inning with just the one run allowed, as it was the only run that she would allow in her performance.
 
Frostburg answered quickly in the bottom of the first, with freshman Laura Gilford drawing a leadoff walk, the stealing second and advancing to third on a fly out. Junior Bri Powell stepped in with two outs and cranked a double to left to score Gilford, then was brought in herself on the next play with a single from freshman Jamie Roberts, who in turn made it to second on the throw. Sophomore Katie Ernst completed the inning with an RBI single to give FSU a 3-1 lead.
 
Theobald held WU in check over the next two innings, allowing only one baserunner, while the offense provided her some run support in the bottom of the third. Powell began with a single, advancing to second on an error, followed by a Roberts walk and a double from Ernst to score Powell and put the lead at 4-1. Senior Kennadie Batchelor welcomed the ensuing Wheeling reliever with a double down the line in left to score another two runs. Batchelor stole third as freshman Kennedy Brumagin walked, then FSU pulled off some trickery, with Brumagin stealing second and drawing a throw to allow Batchelor to steal home for a 7-1 lead.
 
Both teams went scoreless through the sixth inning, with the Bobcats pulling off some astounding defense in the top of the fifth to aid freshman reliever Jamie Roberts. Brumagin made a diving stop at third and Powell fielded a difficult backhand at short to keep WU off the board.
 
The Cardinals put some pressure on Roberts in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs to cut the lead to 7-4, but the freshman remained composed enough to get the final out and record her first save of her career.
 
Theobald was brilliant after the first inning, allowing just one hit through her final three innings of work to earn her sixth win of the year. Ernst and Batchelor both had a pair of hits and two RBI to lead the offense.
 
Freshman Katie Chapple took the circle in game two and also ran into some early trouble, with WU getting runners at first and second with one out. Chapple worked a ground-out that advanced the runners, then got an inning-ending strikeout to keep the Cardinals off the board.
 
FSU was held scoreless in the first but was able to take the lead in the second. Roberts led off with a single and was replaced by sophomore Brianna Munday at first, who then moved to second on a sac bunt by Batchelor. Sophomore Sierra Sanderson flared a ball out to right field, with the Cardinal's fielder dropping the fly-out and allowing Sanderson to reach second with Munday at third. Freshman Kennedy Brumagin stepped up next and cranked a three-run homer over the left field fence for her first career home run and a 3-0 Bobcat lead.
 
Chapple worked a scoreless third and was given a much larger lead to work with in the bottom of the third. Freshman Adriana Wimmer led off with a double and stole third, followed by a walk from Ernst, who was replaced by sophomore Ellie Buckheit. Powell smashed another double, scoring Wimmer and putting Buckheit at third for a 4-0 lead. Roberts drew a walk to load the bases, as Batchelor laced a single to center to score another two runs. Gilford rounded out the inning with a two-out, two-RBI single to expand the lead to 9-0.
 
Wheeling led off the fourth with a home run, finally getting to Chapple and spoiling the would-be shutout, but again Frostburg responded in the bottom half of the inning. Wimmer led off with a double and immediately scored on a triple from Buckheit, as Powell displayed her power yet again, this time smashing a home run to finish the scoring at 12-1.
 
Chapple worked an easy fifth inning to earn her eighth win of the year, allowing just three hits and striking out three in the complete-game performance. Powell and Brumagin led the offense with their home runs as both provided three RBI, with Powell also extending her hitting streak to 14 games.
 
With the sweep, Frostburg improves to 15-8 on the year, while Wheeling falls to 9-18. The Bobcats return to the field Wednesday, April 6 for a road doubleheader against Fairmont State, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. For information and updates, stay tuned at frostburgsports.com.