WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. – The Frostburg State Softball team swept their Monday MEC doubleheader, defeating West Liberty on the road by scores of 7-0 and 4-3.

In game one, Frostburg got their offense started in the second inning, with a double into center field from sophomore Jamie Roberts. Freshman Arden Miller drove in the first Bobcat run with an RBI single, and advancing to second on West Liberty's throw. Junior Ryann Darling then put the ball in play, reaching on an error from the Hilltoppers center fielder, as Miller crossed the plate for an early 2-0 FSU lead.  Junior Ellie Buckheit then earned walk, before sophomore Laura Gilford sent an RBI single up the middle, scoring Darling from third.  Junior Sierra Sanderson added another single, allowing Buckheit to score as well.  With everything going right for the Bobcats, senior Brianna Powell reached base after being hit by a pitch, as Roberts also was hit by a pitch, allowing the fifth Frostburg run of the inning to walk in for a 5-0 lead. 

After giving up three hits in the first inning, junior Sydney Theobald locked in from the circle, only giving up one hit in the next six innings, keeping West Liberty scoreless for the entirety.  FSU added two more runs to their lead in the seventh, with Darling getting things started with a single to right field, and scoring off an RBI single from Buckheit.  Gilford followed right behind with an RBI single of her own, bringing the final score to 7-0, as the Bobcats kept the Hilltoppers scoreless in the bottom of the seventh. 

West Liberty responded in game two, taking an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Frostburg opened the second inning with a single from Roberts, followed by Darling reaching on a walk. Sophomore Adrianna Wimmer singled down the right field line to load the bases for the Bobcats, as junior Katie Ernst reached on a fielder's choice, driving in the first run for FSU to bring the game to 2-1.

In the top of the fourth, Roberts opened the inning knocking a leadoff double into left field. Wimmer reached base earning a walk, as Ernst grabbed her second RBI of the day, ripping a single up the middle to tie the game at two apiece.  The Bobcats looked to keep their offensive momentum going in the top of the fifth, as Gilford opened the inning with a double, advanced to third, and was brought home on a sacrifice fly to left field from Powell for Frostburg's first lead of the game. 

Both teams remained quiet until the seventh, as FSU tacked on one more run to their lead. Gilford reached base after being hit by a pitch, advanced to second on an error by the Hilltoppers, before stealing home on a wild pitch to make the score 4-2 with West Liberty having one more chance at the plate.  FSU gave up one run and one hit, but stranded two Hilltoppers on base in the bottom of seventh, to take game two with a final score of 4-3.

Gilford and Roberts led the way on offense, recording four hits each, and combining for a total of four runs and four RBI.  Theobald pitched a shutout in game one, giving up four hits and striking out seven for her seventh win of the season.  Roberts started on the mound in game two, getting her ninth win while giving up 10 hits, two runs, and striking out three in six innings.  Theobald was credited with her first save of the season, coming into pitch the final inning of game two. 

With the sweep, Frostburg improves to 21-10 on the season, while West Liberty drops to 10-24. The Bobcats return to action Wednesday, April 5 as they travel to face Shepherd for a doubleheader set to start at 2 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.