RALEIGH, N.C. – The Frostburg State Softball team concluded their successful opening weekend at the Triangle Classic with a 2-1 record on Sunday's games, defeating Mansfield and Bluefield State while falling to Felician.
 
In game one against the Mountaineers, FSU found themselves down for the first time this season, as a walk, single, passed ball, and sac fly put the first run on the board. The Bobcats were unable to take advantage of a pair of baserunners in the first, as well as a two-out single in the second. MU tacked onto their lead in the top of the third, starting the frame with a walk, single and hit by pitch, while an error loaded the bases following a fielder's choice. A double brought a pair of runs home, then a single and passed ball plated two more as Mansfield's advantage grew to 5-0.
 
Frostburg continued to struggle getting runs across, as junior Kylee Piconi ripped a triple to left with two outs in the bottom of the third, but a pop up nabbed by the catcher again ended things without a score. Junior Maddie Smith, who had come on to close out the third, was able to put the Mounties down without much fuss in the fourth, allowing just a two-out walk. In the bottom half, FSU finally broke through offensively, as sophomore Bri Russo roped a one-out single into left, then classmate Sage Haller belted one over the fence to pull within 5-2.
 
After a single and walk to open the fifth, senior Ally Myers came on in relief and worked a strikeout and groundout to keep MU off the board. Mansfield worked two quick outs in the bottom half looking to preserve the three-run lead, but the Bobcats had other ideas. Senior Arden Miller went up the middle for a single and moved up to second, coming in to score on a Russo double. Haller then drove Russo home while freshman Sammy Magee kept the rally going with another knock. Myers stepped in and helped her own cause on the mound, ripping a double down the third-base line to plate the equalizing run at 5-5.
 
All three Mountaineer outs in the sixth were thanks to Myers, who worked a pair of strikeouts and fielded a grounder, while three fly outs ended FSU's at-bats. Mansfield wasn't able to get anything else past Myers in the seventh, giving Frostburg a chance to walk things off. Miller led off with a single the other way, then advanced as an MU error allowed Russo to reach as well. Haller continued her offensive prowess, pulling the ball down the left field line to score Miller and take the walk-off 6-5 victory.
 
Smith and Myers combined to toss 4.2 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just two hits and striking out six between the pair. On offense, Haller wielded the hot bat, going 3-for-4 with two runs and four RBI, while Magee went perfect at the plate with a trio of knocks.
 
The Bobcats would face Felician in the second game of the day, where senior Gracie Nelson led off being hit by a pitch, moving up on the bases after an error and eventually scoring from third on a sac fly off the bat of Miller. Both sides went down in order in their next at-bats, bringing the Golden Falcons back to the plate in the bottom of the second. A walk, fielder's choice, stolen base, and single would even the game up, with a fly out and groundout preventing further damage.
 
With Frostburg not getting a baserunner in the third, Felcian took their chance in the box, getting an infield single to lead off before a two-run homer put them ahead 3-1. Senior Olivia Stetler and Myers each worked a pair of infield singles in the fourth but a strikeout ended the frame with both stranded. FSU would then load the bases in the fifth, as sophomore Izabella Donaldson drew a walk, Nelson beat out an infield single, and Piconi reached on an error. Miller was able to bring Donaldson home on a groundball to short, but a pair of K's ended the threat further, with Felician still leading 3-2.
 
The Eagles wouldn't let the Bobcats get much closer, as in the bottom half they mashed their second two-run bomb of the game to push ahead 5-2. With FSU seeing their at-bats in the sixth come and go, two more solo shots by Felician would see them go up 7-2, which ended up being the final after a scoreless seventh. 
 
Donaldson would get the start in the circle to close out the weekend against BSU, as both teams went fairly quietly through the first two innings. Bluefield State would get on the board first in the third frame, using some small ball with a lead-off walk, sac bunt, infield single, and double steal scoring to go up 1-0.
 
FSU would answer right away, with Nelson providing a one-out single and stealing second before moving to third on a fly ball to right. After Miller drew a walk, Head Coach Guy Robertson called a double steal of his own that also paid off, as Nelson scampered in the tying run.
 
In the top of the fourth, Donaldson worked out of a lead-off single by fielding a grounder, earning a strikeout, and working a routine ball to short to bring Frostburg back to the plate. Haller ripped a ball up the middle while Myers drew a walk, as freshman Mackenzie Monahan would get her first career hit in a timely manner, putting a knock into center to score Haller and provide a 2-1 lead.
 
Now with an advantage to work with, Donaldson sat the Big Blue down 1-2-3 in the fifth, while the Bobcat bats stayed hot. Piconi earned a walk to start out the bottom half, with Miller going the other way on a double to put each in scoring position. Stetler and Russo each picked up an RBI groundout out to plate both runners, putting FSU ahead 4-1. Donaldson ensured the door would remain shut, not allowing another baserunner in preserving the victory.
 
Nelson enjoyed a multi-hit game, while Piconi and Miller each worked a base knock and a walk, as all three scored a run. Donaldson was excellent on the day, allowing just two hits while striking out four in the complete-game performance.
 
With the results, FSU finishes their opening trip with a 5-1 record. Frostburg will return to action when it plays IUP and Shepherd beginning at 1 p.m. next Saturday, March 7 in Shepherdstown, WV. For more information please visit frostburgsports.com.