FAIRMONT, W. Va. – The Frostburg State softball team traveled to Fairmont State for a Wednesday doubleheader, winning game one with a score of 11-6 and dropping game two with a score of 5-6.

In game one, sophomore Laura Gilford opened the top of the first with a bunt to reach base, then stole second and moved to third on a sac bunt by junior Sierra Sanderson. Senior Bri Powell got the first RBI of the game for the Bobcats on a ground ball in the infield to score Gilford, making the score 1-0 Bobcats. Fairmont answered in the bottom of the first with a run of their own to tie the game at 1-1 after one inning.

The Bobcat offense came alive in the top of the fourth inning, with freshman Arden Miller singling up the middle to center field. Junior Ryann Darling also reached on a single, then junior Katie Ernst earned a walk to load the bases. Junior Brianna Munday would earn another walk, bringing a run across the plate for Frostburg. Gilford took advantage of the bases still loaded with a single up the middle to add two more runs. Sanderson reached on an error by the Falcons, then Gilford went on to score on a wild pitch to make the score 6-1 Bobcats. Powell added another single to center field, bringing Sanderson across the plate, followed by sophomore Jamie Roberts doubling to left field to bring Powell across the plate as well. Miller added her second single of the day to score a run. After a monster inning, the Bobcats would find themselves with a 9-1 lead over the Falcons heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.

Fairmont responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth, then added another pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 9-4 Bobcats heading into the seventh inning.

In the top of the seventh, sophomore Samara Funk reached on an error, then Ernst was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Christina Sommercamp laid down a perfect bunt, advancing both runners into scoring position. Gilford legged out an infield single, sending one run across the plate. Sanderson laid down a bunt as well to score a second run for the Bobcats for an 11-4 lead. Despite a late Fairmont comeback attempt, the Bobcats would successfully hold off a last-minute surge to take game one by a score of 11-6.

In game two, Gilford opened the game with a bunt to reach base. Sanderson would also bunt on an attempted sacrifice, reaching on an error. Powell would get the RBI on a groundout to short to give Frostburg an early 1-0 lead. Miller ran out another infield single, bringing Sanderson across the plate and giving the Bobcats a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the first.

In the top of the second, Munday opened the inning with a single, moving to second on a sac by Ernst. Gilford singled up the middle to center to score one Munday for a 3-0 lead. Fairmont got on the board in the bottom of the second, thanks in part to a Bobcat error, to make the score 3-2.

In the top of the fourth, Gilford opened the inning with a double into right-center field and went on to score on a wild pitch to extend the Bobcat lead to 4-2. In the bottom of the fifth, Fairmont took their first lead of the game with a score of 5-4.

In the top of the seventh, Munday reached on a fielder's choice with a runner out at second when Frostburg pulled out some two-out magic. Ernst drew a walk, then freshman Ally Myers entered the game as a pinch hitter, sending a single up the middle to bring the tying run across the plate, making the score 5-5. 

The Falcons would have the last laugh, however, working a lead-off single to start the bottom of the seventh. The runner advanced to second on a sac bunt and got to third on a wild pitch, eventually coming home on a sac fly to take game two by a score of 5-6.

With the split, Frostburg moves to 23-16 on the year, while Fairmont is now 22-18. The Bobcats return to action Friday, April 14 as they return home to host Glenville State for a rescheduled doubleheader, with game time yet to be determined. For more information on Frostburg State Softball, please visit http://frostburgsports.com.