FROSTBURG, Md. - The Frostburg State Baseball team used two strong offensive outings to sweep Charleston (WV) in their home opener on Saturday by scores of 7-3 and 11-8.
Sophomore Jack Ray got the nod to kick off things at Bob Wells Field from the mound, seeing a three-up three-down situation, recording a strikeout to end the inning. Frostburg worked quick at the plate, with sophomore Ryan Bouma drawing a walk and moving all the way to third after a wild pitch and throwing error by Charleston's catcher. Senior Mikey Guy then earned a walk as well, as both came home on an RBI single to center by junior Jake Holler. Holler scored after graduate Randy Steen put the ball in play and got on board after another UC error, all helping FSU to a 3-0 lead after the first.
Ray retired the side in the top half of the second with three K's, as the Bobcats saw a quiet outing at the plate. The Golden Eagles secured their first hit of the game in the third, stealing back a run for a 3-1 contest. Both teams saw a three-up three-down go-around in their next at-bats, with Ray seeing two more strikeouts. Sophomore Logan Helser led off the bottom of the fourth with a knock to center field, moving to second off a sacrifice bunt from redshirt freshman CJ Carmichael. Sophomore Jackson Schalick was then hit by a pitch, before Bouma was walked to load the bases. Guy and senior Doyle McNew then ripped back-to-back two-run singles to increase Frostburg advantage to 7-1 heading into the fifth.
Both teams saw a slow at-bat in the inning, with Ray leaving a pair on for Charleston. The Golden Eagles added two more to their total in the top half of the sixth off a two-run homer, but Ray quickly secured three outs afterwards. The Bobcats kept it a 7-3 score heading into the top of the seventh, as sophomore Bryce Hendricks came in to pitch, giving up a lead off single but securing three outs to leave the runner on, allowing FSU to take game one 7-3.
Freshman Zach Dodson started off from the bump in game two for the Bobcats, as UC found their rhyme at the plate, starting out hot with with six runs off six hits. Junior Joe Pippin quickly took over in the inning to record the final two outs to head into the bottom of the inning for Frostburg's first at-bats. Schalick led things off with a single to left, as Bouma was hit by a pitch to put two on for FSU right away. Guy then saw a double, while McNew and Holler combined for a pair of singles to score three for the Bobcats. Steen then reached on a fielder's choice, collecting an RBI to score McNew, as Helser totaled a sacrifice fly to bring home Holler, all for a 6-5 game after one.
Pippin saw a 1-2-3 outing in the second, as Weiman drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the inning to secure an RBI to tie the game at 6-6. Pippin again saw a good look in the top of the third, as FSU worked to take their first lead of the game, as Carmichael doubled to left and advanced to third on a balk before coming home on an RBI single to left from Schalick to sit the game at 7-6. Pippin recorded a K in the fourth while leaving one Golden Eagle stranded, as Holler knotted a single to center in the bottom half of the inning but was also left on base.
Charleston retook the lead at 8-7 after another home run in the fifth, but Frostburg quickly answered in their next look at offense. Helser led off the inning with a single, with redshirt sophomore Tiernan Daly coming in to pinch run. Carmichael then singled to put two on for the Bobcats, as Schalick smacked a two-run triple to left field to clear the bases and put FSU back in front 9-8.
Redshirt senior Nate Vermillion took over on the bump to start the sixth, facing the minimum and seeing two K's. In the bottom of the inning, Wieman gave Frostburg an insurance run, belting a solo shot over the left field fence for a 10-8 score. The Bobcats added another run to their total before the inning sixth ended, as Steen drew a walk, advanced to second, and stole third, all to come home on a passed ball. Vermillion struck out the first two batters in the top of the seventh, leaving one on for UC to leave the game at 11-8 in favor of FSU.
Schalick led Frostburg at the plate with a 4-for-4 performance in game two, seeing three RBI and three runs on the day. Holler was next with three hits, three RBI, and two runs, while Guy, McNew, Helser, and Carmichael all recorded a pair of hits each. Ray secured his second win of the season in game one, throwing six innings, giving up just four hits, two earned runs, one walk, and striking out eight. Pippin got the win in game two, also his second of the year, striking out five in his outing, while Vermillion earned his second save of the season.
With the sweep, Frostburg improves to 12-6 on the season, while Charleston falls to 8-14. The Bobcats are back in action at home tomorrow, March 23 when they welcome in West Virginia State to continue their weekend of MEC play at 1 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
