WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Frostburg State Baseball traveled to West Liberty to finish off their weekend series against the Hilltoppers, winning game one 5-3 and losing game two 10-14.
In game one, the Bobcats grabbed their first lead of the game in the top of the second inning off of a homerun from junior Ethan Kiple. The game then turned into a pitchers duel, with FSU starter sophomore Jacob Stretch dominating to the tune of four scoreless innnings of three-hit ball with six strikeouts. Equally, however, Frostburg's offense was held hitless all the way until WLU tied the game up in the bottom of the fifth, making the score 1-1 on a sac fly.
In the top of the sixth, Kiple reached base on a fielder's choice, sophomore Cy Probst was hit by a pitch, and both runners advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Sophomore Christian Shertzer reached on an error by the Hilltoppers, scoring both runners for the Bobcats to lead 3-1.
In the top of the seventh, sophomore Danny Estrada drew a walk, bringing up sophomore Mikey Guy to launch a two-run shot over the fence in right center field to extend the lead to 5-1 Frostburg. West Liberty would add two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Kiple moved into his closer role, working the final two outs to earn his conference-leading fifth save and the 5-3 victory.
In game two, it was once again Kiple who got the Bobcat bats going with a three-run homerun to left center field to give FSU an early 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the second inning, the Hilltoppers tied the game up at 3-3, which as it turned out, was their offense just getting started, as they used five hits in the third to plate seven runs and take a commanding 10-3 lead.
In the top of the fourth, Frostburg fired back, as Estrada sent a shot over the right field fence that plated three runs to make the score 6-10. The Bobcat offense kept going with singles from Guy and senior Trevor Jones. Kiple knocked a single into play to score another run, then Probst reached on a fielder's choice, followed by Shertzer reaching on an error. This would result in FSU cutting the Hilltopper lead to two after Kiple scored, followed by senior Arronne Dutton laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt, scoring Probst and bringing the game all the way back within one at 10-9 WLU.
West Liberty simply could not be stopped offensively, as despite losing their lead, scored another four runs in the bottom half of the fourth, highlighted by a three-run bomb for a 14-9 lead. Frostburg would look to answer in the top of the fifth inning, with sophomore Randy Steen opening the inning with a single, making his way around the bases and eventually scoring on a wild pitch to make things 14-10.
Both sides quieted the bats in the final two innings, as FSU was unable to complete the comeback attempt, giving the Hilltoppers their lone win of the four-game series.
With the split, the Bobcats are now 18-13 on the year, while the Hilltoppers move to 10-22. Frostburg will be back in action on Tuesday, April 11 from Bob Wells Field for a single game matchup against No. 6 Millersville at 3PM. For more information visit http://frostburgsports.com.
