FROSTBURG, Md. - Frostburg State Athletics will be taking a preview of each team competing in the spring season, covering nine total sports.  Over the next couple weeks, each team will be broken down into their matchups, key players, and overall outlook for their season and program.  To conclude spring previews is Baseball.
 
Overall
Frostburg is set to kick off their 88^th season here in 2025, being placed at the top of the North Division once again in the MEC Preseason Poll, while also being selected seventh in the NCWBA Atlantic Region Preseason Poll for the second straight year.  To start out the year, a trio of stars in Patrick Bauer, Mikey Guy, and Ryan Bouma were all named to the NCBWA Preseason All-Atlantic Region team, all having stellar seasons for FSU in 2024. 
 
Head Coach Anthony Williams gears up for his sixth season as the lead of the program, welcoming back his full staff of Mike Austin, Brian Wirth, and Larry Williams, along with student manager Keegan Runge.  Williams also adds former player, Ethan Kiple, to the coaching staff as well.   
 
Last Season
The Bobcats are coming off a stellar season, posting a 37-16 overall record for the most wins since the 2015 season, while going for a remarkable 24-4 mark in MEC play.  FSU captured the title of regular season MEC North Division Champs, heading to their first NCAA Tournament since 2016, where the team entered as the No. 7 seed in the Atlantic Region.  Frostburg had a handful of awards given out to round out their memorable season, with Kiple being named MEC Player of the Year, Bouma taking MEC Freshman of the Year, and Williams receiving a very well deserved MEC Coach of the Year honor.  Bauer, Randy Steen, Danny Estrada, and Cy Probst all joined Kiple on the All-MEC First Team, while Guy and Max Proctor were placed on the All-MEC Second Team, and Bouma and Jacob McDonald were given All-MEC Honorable Mention nods.  Kiple, Steen, Guy, and Bauer all went on to earn NCWBA All-Atlantic Region Honors, while Kiple was selected as D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year and a D2CCA and ABCA/Rawlings All-American.  Off the field, the team was given the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award, while Kiple, Dan Morgano, Cael Huyer, and Joe Pippin were all named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, with Kiple going on to receive the Academic All-American nod. 
 
The Returners
Williams brings back a solid number of 30 players from last year's roster, having lost a senior class of 11, including Kiple and Proctor.
 
At the plate, FSU brings back a lot of key pieces to their lineup, starting with upperclassmen Steen, Probst, and Guy all returning for their final season in a Bobcat uniform.  Steen tied for the team-high in hits in 2024, ripping 69 for a .373 batting average, 41 runs and 44 RBI, while Guy was right behind him with 66 hits on a .379 batting average, 50 runs, and 43 RBI.  Bouma and sophomore Jackson Schalick both return to the field after two outstanding freshman seasons, with the former leading the team in doubles with 20 for a .353 batting average, and the latter seeing 48 hits and 48 runs. 
 
The Bobcats bring back lots of talent to the mound, starting with Bauer who is set for his senior season as well, after seeing a 6-3 record last year with team-highs in ERA (2.65) and strikeouts (54) throughout 54.1 innings.  McDonald returns to action, having led the team in wins last year with eight, throwing 65.1 innings and recording 49 strikeouts, while sophomore Jack Ray looks to make his way into the starting rotation after three wins and 33 strikeouts in 33.2 innings as a freshman.  Williams is happy to have back key relievers in redshirt senior Nate Vermillion and Morgano, who combined for 60 strikeouts and six wins a year ago, with Vermillion picking up five saves himself. 
 
The Newcomers
Williams welcomes in a solid class of newcomers, seeing a freshman class of nine, while also bringing in eight transfers.  The freshman class consists of six pitchers, as well as a mix of one infielder, one outfielder, and a catcher.  The eight transfers come from well-rounded collegiate programs, including community college and beyond, as Williams brings in talent on the mound and all around the infield and outfield as well. 
 
Kick Off to Season
Frostburg opens their season later today, February 22 down in Cary, NC, starting the weekend with a nine-inning game against Slippery Rock set for 4:30 PM.  The Bobcats remain on the road for their conference opener on Saturday, March 15, when the team travels to Concord for a 1 PM doubleheader.  FSU hosts the defending MEC Champs of Charleston (WV) for the team's home opener at Bob Wells Field on Saturday, March 22 at 1 PM. 
 
For more information and upcoming previews, please visit frostburgsports.com.