GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Frostburg State Softball team lost their road doubleheader to Seton Hill on Friday afternoon by final scores of 15-10 and 6-4.
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Junior Gracie Nelson led the game off with a two-strike single into left, moving up on a sac bunt from senior Hannah Binek. Nelson then took third by way of steal before senior Samara Funk drew a walk, while a Griffin error allowed the former to score and the latter to get to third. Senior Cristina Sommerkamp then brought Funk in on a sac fly to foul territory in left for a 2-0 Bobcat lead. SHU wasn't able to manage much during their at-bats, then Nelson ripped a triple into the gap in right-center, coming all the way to the plate on an error for a 3-0 advantage.
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Seton Hill came roaring back in the bottom half, drawing a walk and a single to start the frame, with each runner advancing on a sacrifice. Another walk, an error, and a pair of doubles did enough damage to bring in five runs for the hosts to get their first lead. It wouldn't last long, however, as a pair of Griffin errors allowed two runners to reach, while Sommerkamp loaded the bases on a bunt single. Freshman Zoey Marinello brought junior Olivia Stetler in on a single to left center, then classmate Bri Russo plated each Bobcat on base with a grand slam blast to right-center. Junior Ashlynn Routzahn polished off the six-run frame with a solo shot to put Frostburg up 9-5.
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SHU was able to get a couple runs back in their half at the plate, with a single, error, walk, and double steal combining to make the score 9-7. For the first time in the game, neither team drove a run across in the fourth, while FSU also couldn't muster their offense in the top of the fifth. The Griffins took advantage immediately, getting the first runner on with a single and following up with a two-run homer to straightaway center to tie things at 9-9. Their momentum continued with a walk, hit by pitch, two singles and a double that combined for another four runs to take a 13-9 lead.
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With one out in the top of the sixth, junior Arden Miller roped a home run into left for Frostburg's third of the day to pull within three. Seton Hill wouldn't let the game get out of hand, as they used a pair of walks and errors in the bottom half to stay at arm's length up 15-10. FSU put a runner on in the top of the seventh, but three consecutive outs ended the first game with the five-run loss.
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SHU sat the Bobcats down in order to start game two then started their at-bats with a walk, error, and three-run home run to take a swift lead. Stetler led off the second with a single into left, but didn't advance further following three straight strikeouts. FSU's only other runner through the next two innings would be Russo reaching on a base knock, but a double play ended any scoring threat. In the bottom of the fourth, Frostburg nearly got out clean with two pop-ups to start the frame, but a triple and single plated another Seton Hill run. After a 1-2-3 Bobcat fifth, the Griffins again took advantage of an FSU walk and error, putting a two-run double into right that made things 6-0.
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Frostburg was finally able to get on the board in the top of the sixth, as freshman Julia Meagher led off with a liner up the middle and getting to second after a groundout. Russo was able to run out an infield single that also forced an error, bringing Meagher home. Miller reached on yet another error, while Stetler drew a walk to load the bases for sophomore Katie Healy, who ripped a double into the gap in left-center, scoring two. Marinello followed up with a single that plated Stetler and brought FSU within 6-4. SHU went down in order to bring the Bobcats back up with one last chance on offense in the seventh, but all they could manage was a two-out Russo walk to give the Griffins the sweep.
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Russo led the offnse with three hits and five total RBI on the day, while Nelson and Marinello each recorded multiple knocks as well.
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With the losses, Frostburg drops to 2-10 on the year, while Seton Hill improves to 8-4. The Bobcats next have their home opener as they face Bowie State on Sunday, March 9 for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.
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