CHOWAN, N.C. – The Frostburg State Softball team swept their doubleheader defeating Bowie State 7-6 and Chowan 6-5 both on Sunday afternoon.

In the first game, FSU struck first, keeping their offensive momentum from Saturday, as sophomore Laura Gilford singled up the middle and was sent to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior Sierra Sanderson. Senior Brianna Powell would get the RBI, scoring Gilford on her ground out to second base. With two outs, sophomore Jamie Roberts singled to left field and freshman Ashylnn Routzahn continued her outstanding offensive performance, hitting her third homerun of the weekend to make the score 3-0 in favor of the Bobcats after the first inning.

The Bulldogs got two runs back in the top of the second off a single and a throwing error. FSU would repay one of those runs, making the score 4-2 as freshman Olivia Stetler started off the bottom of the second with a single and was sent around the diamond to score off a sacrifice bunt and a pair of Bobcat singles, with Sanderson credited for the RBI.

Frostburg added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth as Gilford used her speed to reach on a bunt single and steal second. Sanderson then reached first on a fielding error and stole second as well, allowing Gilford to score on the throw. Sanderson then stole third and proceeded to score after Routzahn put the ball in play and reached first on another Bulldog error. Bowie State cut FSU's lead in half after they hit a two-run homer in the top of the fifth to make the score 6-4.

BSU scored another run in the top of the sixth off of a Bobcat throwing error, but FSU turned right around and scored one more run in the bottom of the sixth, as the top of the order would strike again. Gilford drew a walk and stole second, then Sanderson singled moving Gilford to third, and Powell was credited with another RBI, hitting a sac fly to left field that allowed Gilford to tag up. The Bulldogs would get one more run in the seventh, but Frostburg held on to their lead, taking the first game 7-6.

Roberts got the win for the Bobcats in the circle, her first of the season, pitching six innings with four strikeouts. Sophomore Alyssa Albright earned the save, coming in to pitch late in the seventh, where she faced three batters, gave up no hits, and struck out one.

To start the second game, Gilford and Sanderson continued their offensive success as Gilford was hit by a pitch to start the game, stole second, and scored on a Sanderson single up the middle for an early 1-0 Bobcat lead. Chowan responded right back in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs off two singles and a pair of stolen bases to give them a 2-1 lead.

Frostburg kept the offense moving as Routzahn stayed hot and doubled to start the second followed by an RBI double from junior Katie Ernst. Ernst would then advance to third on a wild pitch as sophomore Cristina Sommerkamp reached on a fielding error allowing Ernst to score and FSU to regain the lead.

Both teams scored in the third as the Bobcats jumped out to a 4-2 lead off a Sanderson single and a Roberts RBI double. The Hawks responded with two hits of their own, bringing the game to 4-3. FSU responded right back and kept their scoring streak going as freshman Gracie Nelson got on base off a single to right center and scored on a Gilford two-run homerun to allow the Bobcats to go up 6-3 in the fourth.

Chowan would score one in the fifth and one in the seventh, but Frostburg's defense came up clutch, stranding two Hawks on base in the fifth and sixth inning, and getting three straight outs after a lead-off triple to start the bottom of the seventh, with Theobald on in a relief appearance. FSU held on for the 6-5 victory and sweep of their Sunday doubleheader.

Albright pitched four innings with two strikeouts and was credited with the win. Theobald came in and pitched three innings with one strikeout. Gilford finished the day with three hits and five runs, while Sanderson added six hits, including going 4-for-4 in the second game, along with two runs and two RBI on the day.

With three games and three wins on the weekend, Frostburg improves to 6-1 on the season. The Bobcats will be back in action next weekend as they will travel to Beckley, WV to face Bluefield State and West Virginia Tech, facing the former on Friday, March 3 at 2 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.