WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. – The Frostburg State softball team lost a pair of road games to West Liberty on Sunday afternoon by scores of 5-1 and 3-0.
FSU would start strong in game one, as sophomore Bri Russo and senior Arden Miller put together back-to-back singles before senior Ally Myers doubled down the line to score Russo, putting the lead at 1-0. The Hilltoppers would respond immediately, using a pair of walks, a single, and an error to net a pair of runs before scoring their third on a sac fly.
Frostburg couldn't replicate their offense in the second frame, as a double, sac bunt, and double steal allowed West Liberty to add another run, going up 4-1. Miller singled into left with one out in the third but would be left stranded, as WLU continued to tack onto their advantage, taking a pair of singles, a wild pitch, and another sac fly to lead by four. After going down in order during the fourth, senior Gracie Nelson and Russo each reached with one out in the fifth, however two straight grounders brought the offense to a close.
The Hilltoppers looked to put the game away in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with just one out, however freshman Mackenzie Monahan threw the lead runner out at home from short and a fly ball to right ended the inning. Hoping for a miraculous comeback, freshman Sammy Magee belted a double to lead off the second, however despite Miller getting hit two batters later, a fielder's choice brought the 5-1 final.
Frostburg would start game two with a pair of hits off Nelson and Myers, but with two outs, a pop up to second ended the inning. The Hilltoppers would take advantage, using an error and back-to-back singles to eventually take a 1-0 lead. WLU added on in the second, as another error followed by three singles put two more runs on the board for a 3-0 score.
Freshman Sammy Magee and Nelson worked one-out knocks in the third, but a pop up and groundout again left the runners stranded. In similar fashion, Russo and junior Kylee Piconi reached in the fourth before a fielder's choice and strikeout kept the shutout going. Both sides went down in order until the top of the sixth, when Myers and sophomore Izabella Donaldson led with two straight singles. A fielder's choice and double play continued to thwart Frostburg's chances at putting a run across. In the top of the seventh, graduate Laura Gilford came in as a pinch hitter and reached on an error, but she would be the only baserunner as West Liberty held on to the 3-0 win.
With the sweep, Frostburg is now 33-11 on the year while WLU improves to 20-27. The Bobcats will next host Charleston (WV) on Thursday, April 30 for a doubleheader starting at 1 PM. For more information please visit frostburgsports.com.
