INSTITUTE, W. Va. – The Frostburg State Baseball team split their Sunday series against West Virginia State, taking the first game 4-3 but falling in the second 6-2.
WVSU got things going early, scoring a run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly. FSU was able to take the lead in the bottom of the second, as sophomore Christian Shertzer singled down the right field line, proceeded to steal second, advanced to third on a groundout, and came all the way around to score on a two-RBI double from sophomore Randy Steen, which also brought in junior Nick Trey after being hit by a pitch, for a 2-1 Bobcat lead.
The Yellow Jackets quickly responded, tying the game at two with yet another sac fly in the top of the third. The Bobcats kept their bats going, as sophomore Mikey Guy hit a leadoff single, stole second, and scored on an RBI single up the middle from sophomore Cy Probst, allowing Frostburg to have a 3-2 advantage.
Both teams stayed quiet in the fourth inning, as junior Max Proctor was able to strand one on base for WVSU, allowing the Bobcats to maintain their lead. Proctor recorded two strikeouts in the next inning, but the Yellow Jackets were able to find a way to tie the game once again, this time taking advantage of a Frostburg error. FSU didn't keep the game tied very long, as Guy hit another leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth, and was sent around the bases after a fielder's choice and error, followed by Probst getting an RBI fielder's choice to bring the game to 4-3.
Sophomore Nate Vermillion came into pitch in the top of the sixth, facing three batters for three outs, before junior Ethan Kiple came into close the game in the seventh, also facing three batters for three outs, allowing Frostburg to end game one with a 4-3 victory.
WVSU started off strong again in the first game, getting two runs across the plates in their first at-bats of game two. Sophomore Danny Estrada was able to smack a single to right field in the bottom of the first, but the Bobcats couldn't put anything together afterwards.
The Yellow Jackets kept their offensive momentum going, tacking on two more runs in the top of the second for an early 4-0 lead. WVSU tallied on another run in the top of the third, as Frostburg struggled to get their bats and offense going. Sophomore Hayden Ford saw time on the mound, stopping the Yellow Jackets from scoring another run, keeping the game at 5-0 going into the fifth.
West Virginia State found their rhythm once more, adding another run to their lead in the top of the fifth. FSU recorded just their second hit of the day in the fifth, as junior Justin Jimenez doubled to left field, but was left stranded. Senior Andrew Smith came into pitch in the top of the sixth, keeping the Yellow Jackets hitless and scoreless, as the game remained 6-0 heading into the final inning.
Smith kept WVSU without a baserunner once more in the top of the seventh, as the Bobcats had one more chance to put some runs on the board. Senior Trevor Jones got things started, ripping a leadoff single to left field as Probst then smacked a two-run homer over the left field fence to bring the game to 6-2 with only one out. Unfortunately, FSU couldn't put anything else together in the inning, dropping the second game with a final score of 6-2.
Guy, Jones, and Probst each finished with a pair of hits in the doubleheader, as Probst tallied four RBI and a run as well. Guy and Jones combined for three of FSU's runs on the day. Proctor was credited with his third win of the season, as Kiple was credited with his second save from game one.
With the split, Frostburg moves to 11-11 on the season, while West Virginia State goes to 10-9. The Bobcats will host their first game of the season at Bob Wells Field on Tuesday, March 28, as they face Shippensburg for a single nine inning game set to start at 3 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
