SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Frostburg State Baseball team dropped their nine inning single game to Slippery Rock, with a final score of 8-6 on Wednesday afternoon.
Frostburg started the day off strong, as sophomore Danny Estrada got walked, went on to steal second, and scored as junior Eithan Kiple smacked a ball over the fence for a two-run shot and a 2-0 Bobcat lead. Senior Ben Vok got the start on the mound for FSU, getting three quick outs and keeping zeros across the board for the Lions. Sophomore Cy Probst kept the firepower offense going for the Bobcats in the second inning, as he homered to left field to add to Frostburg's lead. Vok kept it going on the mound, striking out the side in the bottom of the second.
Junior Nick Trey saw some time at the mound to start the third, as Slippery Rock was able to knock a trio of singles and bring two runners across the plate to make the score to 3-2. FSU was able to put some more runs on the board in the top of the fourth, as senior Andrew Smith and Probst both drew a walk to start the inning, and would each advance on a wild pitch. With two runners now in scoring position, junior Stafford Allison singled to left field, allowing Smith to score and Probst to move to third. Sophomore Randy Steen earned an RBI, hitting a single to center field, scoring Probst for a 5-2 lead. Estrada added to the action, hitting a single to right field, scoring Allison from second for a commanding 6-2 lead.
The Lions started to find a rhythm on both sides of the ball in the fifth, keeping the Bobcats scoreless in the top of the inning, and taking advantage of an error and passed ball for a run in the bottom of the inning. Both teams were scoreless in the sixth, before Slippery Rock retained their momentum in the bottom of the seventh, tying the game at six apiece after a couple walks and wild pitches from multiple Frostburg pitchers.
Neither team was able to tack on anymore runs in the eighth to break the tie. Frostburg was still unable to get anything going in their last-bats in the top of the ninth, keeping the game at 6-6. The Lions were able to connect on all cylinders when they needed it the most, scoring two runs on two hits in the bottom of the ninth, causing the Bobcats to fall late 8-6.
Estrada finished 2-for-4 with a run, an RBI, and a pair of stolen bases. With each a home run on the day, Kiple added a run and two RBI, as Probst tallied two runs and an RBI. With multiple pitchers used, Vok led the way giving up one hit and striking out three in two innings pitched.
With the loss, Frostburg moves to 9-9 on the season while Slippery Rock improves to 10-4. The Bobcats will host Charleston (WV) for their home opener on Saturday, March 21st with the first game of the doubleheader to begin at 1 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
