CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Frostburg State Softball team split their opening weekend series by defeating Bluefield State by a score of 13-3 and falling to West Virginia Tech with a final score of 5-2.
In game one, junior Sierra Sanderson would be the first Bobcat to reach base in the top of the first on a single up the middle. Sanderson stole second and would come home on a shot to center from sophomore Jamie Roberts, who earned herself a double. Freshman Ashlynn Routzahn reached base on a Bluefield State error, scoring Roberts from second. The Bobcats went into the bottom of the first with a 2-0 lead.
Sophomore Samara Funk and freshman Gracie Nelson added a pair of singles for the Bobcats as Funk went on to score after stealing home. Sophomore Laura Gilford got in on the scoring, knocking a ball over the left field fence to grow Frostburg's lead to 4-0. FSU kept their bats going in the top of the third with a Roberts single to center. Routzahn then responded with a homerun off her own, sending the ball over the left field fence for a two-run shot to grow FSU's lead to 6-0. Bluefield State answered in the bottom of the third scoring three runs of their own to bring the score to 6-3.
Sanderson opened the fourth with her second single of the day, followed by senior Brianna Powell hammering a ball to center for a double. Roberts grounded out, advancing both runners and grabbing an RBI to make the score 7-3 in favor of the Bobcats. Sophomore Mackenzie Baker entered the game as a pinch runner, advancing around the bases and going on to steal home for Frostburg's eighth run of the afternoon.
Frostburg drew two walks to start the fifth inning, allowing Gilford to triple to left field for her second extra base hit of the game, scoring both runners for the Bobcats. Sanderson followed behind Gilford for her third hit of the game, sending an RBI double to right field. Roberts kept the momentum going for FSU, hitting a base clearing two-run shot over the fence to help Frostburg build their lead and allow them to get the 13-3 victory.
FSU came out slow to start the second game as both teams struggled to get the bats going in the first. Frostburg would quickly turn the game around as Baker put the Bobcats on the board with a solo shot over the left field fence. West Virginia Tech responded in the bottom of the third earning themselves three runs to take a 3-1 lead.
Frostburg took advantage of a Golden Bear error as Baker reached first in the top of the fifth, and would be sent around the diamond to score on a sacrifice bunt, ground ball, and single to bring the Bobcats within one. West Virginia Tech would respond in the sixth inning adding two more runs to the board and jumping out to a 5-2 lead heading into the seventh. With one more at-bat, FSU failed to get anything going, dropping the game 5-2.
Sanderson and Roberts led the way for FSU with three hits each, while eight other Bobcats also recorded a hit. Sanderson also led the day with three runs while Roberts led the way in RBI with four. Routzahn was credited with the 13-3 win finishing her day in the circle after three innings with three runs on six hits and two strikeouts. Freshman Ally Myers got the save coming into pitch two innings recording four strikeouts.
With the split, Frostburg moves to 7-2 on the year. The Bobcats will be back in action on Sunday, March 5 as they look for redemption against West Virginia Tech at 11 AM, followed by another matchup with Bluefield State. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
