FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Frostburg State Softball team traveled to take on the Fairmont State Falcons, as the Bobcats went on to split with the Falcons, losing game one 4-5 and winning game two 3-2.

In game one, sophomore Sydney Theobald would be on the mound for Frostburg, as the offense struck early, scoring in the top of the first inning. Freshman Adriana Wimmer got the bats going for Bobcats, singling to center field and advancing freshman Laura Gilford, who reached base after being hit by a pitch. Sophomore Katie Ernst flew out to center field, advancing Gilford to third. The Bobcats used some trickery to score, as Wimmer went to steal second, allowing Gilford to score after a throwdown by the Fairmont catcher. Fairmont would take the lead on two runs in the bottom of the first, bringing the score at the end of the inning to 2-1 Fairmont.

Frostburg would open up the game in the top of the fourth, as freshman Kennedy Brumagin drew a walk to open the inning. Ernst reached base with a single to center field, advancing Brumagin to third. Senior Brianna Powell showed her ability to go long, driving in Brumagin and Ernst with a three-run shot to left center field. Theobald held the Falcons scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, ending the inning with a score of 4-2 Frostburg.

The Bobcats struggled to get the bats going in the later innings, allowing Fairmont to score two runs in the sixth, tying the game at 4-4 going into the seventh. The Falcons held Frostburg scoreless, then would walk off with a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh to end the game with a final score 5-4. Theobald pitched six innings for Frostburg, tallying two strikeouts.

In game two, freshman Katie Chapple was on the mound for Frostburg, and once again was helped out early on, as the Bobcats would once again get on the board in the top of the first. Wimmer added another single on the day to once again get the bats going. Freshman Jayla Hill would then reach base after being hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second. Freshman Jamie Roberts pushed a single up the middle, scoring Wimmer from second and advancing Hill to second for a 1-0 lead.

The score would remain 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth when Fairmont would add a run to tie the game at 1-1. A pitcher's duel ensued, as neither side scored until the top of the seventh. Sophomore Sierra Sanderson reached base after a Fairmont throwing error, then freshman Mackenzie Baker would also reach on another Fairmont throwing error, allowing Sanderson to advance to third. Ernst would reach base on a wild pitch, leading to a walk and bringing Sanderson across the plate to make it 2-1 Frostburg midway through the seventh. The Falcons answered in the bottom of the seventh, tying the game at 2-2 and sending the game into extra innings.

In extra innings, Hill would be the hero for the Bobcats, sending a bomb over the fence of left field for a 3-2 lead. Chapple shut down the Falcon offense in the bottom half of the inning to earn her ninth win of the year, as she pitched a complete game only allowing five hits with two strikeouts. 

With the split, the Bobcats now stand at 16-9 on the season, while the Falcons are now 10-14. Frostburg will be back in action on Saturday, April 9, as they host Alderson Broaddus for a double header with games set to start at 12 p.m. For information and updates https://frostburgsports.com.