FAIRMONT, W. Va. – The Frostburg State Softball team dropped their doubleheader to MEC opponent Notre Dame College (OH) with scores of 11-8 and 3-0 on Saturday evening.
Both teams started out slow in the first inning of game one, each going three up three down, before Notre Dame scored two quick runs in the top of the second. Frostburg answered right back as they found themselves with bases loaded as sophomore Jamie Roberts was hit by a pinch, sophomore Mackenzie Baker hit a single, and sophomore Samara Funk reached on an error. Sophomore Cristina Sommerkamp then drew a walk to score one run, followed by freshman Gracie Nelson reaching on a fielder's choice and junior Sierra Sanderson grounding out, allowing two more runs to score to bring the game to 3-3.
The Falcons took over in the third inning as they scored two more runs to make the game 5-3, and collected three easy outs against the Bobcats. Junior Sydney Theobald responded, pitching a perfect inning herself, seeing three batters for three easy outs. NDC quickly added to their lead in their next at-bats, tacking on three more runs for a 8-3 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
FSU quickly got their bats going in the bottom of the fifth, as junior Brianna Munday hit a single to center field and scored on a two-run shot from senior Brianna Powell to bring the game to 8-5. Frostburg kept that momentum going, as sophomore Adrianna Wimmer ripped a single and scored on another single from Baker. Freshman Arden Miller would then reach base after being hit by a pitch and proceed to steal second, allowing Baker to score on the throw. Junior Ryann Darling then ripped a single of her own to score Miller, and tie the game at eight apiece. NDC responded, taking the lead once more, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth. Frostburg had two more at-bats to tie things up, but couldn't put anything together, dropping the first game 11-8.
NDC kept their offensive momentum from the first game, striking first for an early 1-0 lead in game two. The Falcons tallied on another run to take a 2-0 lead, before Frostburg got their first hits of the game. Sanderson and Roberts were able to record the first two hits for the Bobcats, but were unable to put anything together to get some runs on the board.
Roberts was able to tame the Falcons from the mound, keeping the game at 2-0 until the top of the seventh. After a pitchers duel and defensive battle, NDC was able to knock just one more run in for a 3-0 lead, as Sanderson made a leaping catch in center field, with bases loaded for the Falcons, to end the inning. Trying to keep that momentum from Sanderson's outstanding catch, FSU recorded one more hit as Powell singled up the middle, but was left stranded as the Bobcats were unable to get anything going, falling 3-0 in the second game.
Sanderson led the way with three hits on the day, while Powell and Baker each had two. Powell was also credited with two RBI while Baker finished with two runs. Despite the losses, Theobald and Roberts combined for 14 strikeouts.
With the losses, Frostburg drops to 15-8 on the season while Notre Dame moves to 13-9. FSU will have another quick turnaround as they will come back home to face MEC opponent Alderson Broaddus Sunday, March 26 for the first game of the doubleheader set for 2 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
