MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The Frostburg State Baseball team dropped their doubleheader against Barry on day two of their weekend in Florida.
Starting off game one, both teams hit the other with a quick 1-2-3 first inning. FSU got on the board first, as freshman Jack Schalick was sent to first after being hit by a pitch, stole second, and rounded home off a single from freshman Ryan Bouma. After another scoreless inning, the Buccaneers were able to get a run off an FSU error in the third, tying the game 1-1.
Barry kept Frostburg quiet again, then had an explosive fourth, as a bases loaded homerun put BU up 5-1. In the top of the fifth, the Bobcats answered back, as senior Justin Jimenez walked, junior Randy Steen doubled to left field and senior Ethan Kiple was Intentionally walked. With the bags full of Bobcats, junior Danny Estrada stepped up to the plate and hit a bomb to tie the game at five apiece. Once again, the hosts answered back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three to go back ahead 8-5.
In the sixth, Bouma drew a walk, then with freshman Logan Helser in to pinch hit, blasted the ball out of the park to pull Frostburg within 8-7. Barry wasted no time thwarting any hope of a Bobcat rally, scoring five in their half of the frame through a slew of RBI singles, going ahead 13-7, then got their last run in the bottom of the eighth to take the first game 14-7.
Kiple hit a single to start game two, being sent around the bases with junior Cy Probst and Bouma both getting singles for a 1-0 lead. FSU was able to roll into the second without letting Barry score, allowing Steen to single and steal second, putting him in position to earn a run. He was able to reach third on a wild pitch, then Kiple was walked, putting runners at first and third, followed by Probst hitting a single, sending Steen across home plate 2-0. Bouma sent Kiple home as he doubled to left field for a 3-0 advantage.
Once again using their bats to stifle FSU, Barry was able to take the lead in the bottom of the third, earning four runs on a single, error, and pair of doubles. FSU had two homeruns in the fourth, the first from Kiple, who recorded three RBI, and then Probst hit a solo shot to go up 7-4. The Buccaneeers wouldn't stay queiet, retaking the lead in the bottom half and earning a combined six runs in the fourth and fifth for a 10-7 lead. The Bobcats added two in the sixth as Steen and Kiple scored, while Bouma and Schalick earned RBIs to get wtihin 10-9. Barry's bullpen kept FSU quiet the rest of the way, while the offense added runs in both the sixth and seventh for some insurance and a 12-9 victory.
With the conclusion of today's doubleheader, Frostburg ends their opening weekend with an overall record of 0-3, while BU now stands at 5-5. Frostburg is back in action on Friday, February 23 for a four-game weekend in Cary, NC. For more information visit frostburgsports.com.
