FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Softball team wrapped up their third home doubleheader in a row with a series sweep of Salem (WV) by final scores of 11-1 and 5-2 on Wednesday afternoon.

Salem struck first in game one, getting one run across the plate early after an FSU error and some small ball plated off a sacrifice bunt. Frostburg responded right back in the bottom of the frame, as junior Brianna Munday doubled to right field, advanced to third on a single from senior Brianna Powell, and scoring on an infield single from sophomore Jamie Roberts, with Powell moving to third. Freshman Ally Myers launched a ball into right that was caught, but deep enough to score Powell for 2-1 Bobcat lead.

Junior Sydney Theobold was able to leave two Tigers on base in the top of the second, twice getting the lead runner at third before ending the inning with her third straight putout to keep FSU's lead. The Bobcats added to their advantage in their second at-bats of the game, as sophomore Cristina Sommerkamp reached on a fielder's choice, then advanced to second and third on a passed ball and groundout, and finally scoring on a wild pitch.

Both teams stayed quite in the third inning, before Frostburg picked up two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Adriana Wimmer hit a leadoff double to left field and scored on an RBI single from junior Ellie Buckheit. Munday would then find herself a single to score Buckeit from second, bringing the score to 5-1.

Theobald faced three batters in the top of the fifth, forcing three quick groundouts. FSU's bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth, as everything was clicking for them on offense. Myers and sophomore Mackenzie Baker both singled to left field and both scored on another Bobcat single, this time from Sommerkamp. After a pitching change by Salem, Buckheit drew a walk to load the bases. Freshman Gracie Nelson hit a single to the outfield that ended up rolling all the way to the fence after a defensive miscue, clearing the bases with Nelson scoring on the play, ending the contest 11-1 by way of mercy rule.

Sommerkamp and Nelson led the offense with a pair of RBI each, while Munday went a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored. Theobald was brilliant in the circle, allowing just one unearned run on two hits for the complete-game victory. 

Both teams each only had three batters in the first inning of the second game, before Frostburg got rolling in the second. Roberts started the bottom of the frame with a leadoff single, then Baker came in to pinch run. After two singles from junior Katie Ernst and sophomore Samara Funk, Baker would score off the bat of the latter for an early 1-0 Bobcat lead.

Roberts, getting the start on the mound for FSU, was perfect through 3.1 innings, striking out six Tigers in the process. Salem would finally get going in the top of the fourth, using a walk, hit batter, and a triple to take a 2-1 lead. Frostburg regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth, as sophomore Hanna Binek and Funk hit back-to-singles, then junior Sierra Sanderson attempted to sac bunt the runners over and ended up reaching on an error, allowing Binek to score and tie the game at two. With two on, freshman Arden Miller came on to pinch hit for Nelson and was rewarded for the faith in her, cranking a ball over the left field fence on the first pitch she saw for a three-run home run and a 5-2 Bobcat lead.

Both the Tigers and Bobcats stayed quiet in the sixth, as Roberts faced three batters in the top of the seventh, the last at-bats for Salem, getting three quick outs for the 5-2 victory and series sweep.

Funk was the only game two player to record multiple hits, as she also earned an RBI, with Miller's three RBI being the game-high. Roberts allowed just two runs on two hits while striking out eight for the win. 

With the sweep, Frostburg improves to 15-6 on the season, while Salem drops to 9-14. The Bobcats will stay at home as they host MEC opponent Notre Dame (Ohio) on Saturday, March 25, with the first game of a doubleheader set to begin at 1 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.