Game One Offense, Theobald's Game Two Shutout Give Softball Sweep of NDC

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – The Frostburg State Softball team pushed their win streak up to nine games with a doubleheader sweep of Notre Dame (Ohio) on Sunday afternoon by scores of 11-5 and 2-0.
 
FSU began game one with senior Jamie Roberts in the circle, as she struck out the first batter of the game as part of a 1-2-3 first inning. In the bottom half, sophomore Gracie Nelson worked a one-out walk, followed by a single from Roberts and a fielder's choice that put sophomore Arden Miller at first with Nelson moving to third. On the next play, Miller stole second, then on the throw Nelson came home to score to put the Bobcats ahead 1-0.
 
Both teams went quiet in the second, then the Falcons used a pair of singles and a double to take the lead 2-1 in the third. Frostburg immediately responded, as junior Allyssa Albright was hit by a pitch to lead off, being replaced on the bases by senior Ellie Buckheit. Junior Samara Funk then drove a single the other way, with Nelson laid down a bunt to move the runners up. Roberts lined a ball into left, as Buckheit raced home, just sliding her hand into the plate before being tagged to tie the score. Miller then stepped up with a shot into the right field fence that plated Funk for a 3-2 lead.
 
Roberts continued to keep NDC quiet at the plate, then was given some heavy run support in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Ava Gnibus was able to leg out an infield single, followed by Albright lacing one into the outfield. Funk then doubled to score Gnibus, with Nelson sending one the opposite way scoring Albright. Roberts continued the streak with a grounder into left, with Miller sending a ball into the gap in left-center to plate another pair of runs. Junior Hanna Binek ended the rally with a lined hit back up the middle, scoring Miller and making it a six-run frame for a 9-2 FSU lead.
 
The Falcons pulled a couple runs back in the fifth, with a lead-off walk preceding three straight singles, but Roberts was able to escape the inning with a pop out as the lead stayed intact at 9-5. Frostburg's offense continued to churn in the bottom half, with Albright powering the first pitch she saw for a double, then advancing to third on a wild pitch and scoring on a Funk single. Nelson moved Funk up on a groundout, then Roberts put runners on the corners with a knock, as Funk came in to score on a grounder to third from Miller for an 11-5 game.
 
Neither team managed a run in the sixth, then Roberts worked a strikeout, pop-out, and lineout to end the seventh for a complete-game victory.
 
Funk and Roberts each finished with three hits and a pair of RBI, while Miller and Albright also enjoyed multi-hit games, the former plating four RBI. Roberts went the full seven innings of work, allowing eight hits while striking out six.
 
After a combined 16 runs in game one, the second contest could not have started any different, as neither team found their offense through the early innings. Senior Sydney Theobald sat NDC down in order to start the game, then Funk led off FSU's half with a single, making it to third on the next two batters before being left stranded. Neither side reached base in the second, then the Falcons threatened in the third, sprinting out a couple of infield hits but unable to capitalize as Theobald worked a groundout to second.
 
Still searching for their second hit, the Bobcats went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the third, bringing Notre Dame back to the plate. Theobald earned her first K of the game on the lead-off batter, but another infield single put a runner on. The Frostburg southpaw was helped out by her defense, as junior Cristina Sommerkamp made a great glove flip at second to get the lead runner, then Roberts made a diving stop at first to end the frame still scoreless.
 
FSU finally mustered their first knock since the opening frame, as Nelson lined a ball into center, stole second and moved to third as the throw made its way into the outfield. Miller bounced a ball to second that was enough to plate Nelson for another RBI and the first run of the game at 1-0.
 
An error to start the fifth put a runner on for NDC, but Theobald worked a pair of grounders and Albright was able to field a hotshot at third to end the frame with the Falcons still run-less. Frostburg tacked on an insurance run in the bottom half, as senior Brianna Munday lined a single to left, reaching second as the ball was bobbled in the outfield. Gnibus moved her over to third on a sac bunt, then Albright popped a ball that landed just outside the infield, plating Munday for a 2-0 lead.
 
Theobald continued to deal, tossing a scoreless sixth and working around a two-out knock to preserve the two-run lead. FSU couldn't add on anymore insurance in the bottom, half, bringing the game into the balance during the top of the seventh in the Falcons' final at-bats. A bunt single started the inning, as the runner moved to second on a sac bunt. The next batter reached on an infield single and stole second, putting both runners in scoring position with just one out. Theobald made a great play to field a comebacker right at her, keeping the runners put, then a lined shot into center was caught by Gnibus to end the nervy inning for a 2-0 victory.
 
Five different Bobcats recorded a hit in game two, with Miller and Albright driving in a run each. Theobald was brilliant in the complete-game shutout, allowing just six hits in her seven innings of work.
 
With the sweep, Frostburg improves to 18-11 overall while NDC drops to 23-16. FSU returns to Bobcat Field to face Salem (WV) on Monday, April 8 at 11 a.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.