MEC Softball Preview: #2N Frostburg State vs #4N West Liberty

TROUTVILLE, Va. – The Frostburg State Softball team is set to face off against West Liberty in the second round of the Mountain East Conference Tournament.

How They Got Here: FSU secured the two seed in the North Division with a 20-8 conference record, the third-best in the MEC. They fell in the opening game to Davis & Elkins 5-4, coming up just shy in a comeback bid during the contest.
 
West Liberty comes in with an 11-17 mark in the conference as the four seed in the North Division. They too lost their first contest of the tournament 9-0 to the top seed in the South, Charleston.

The Matchup: Frostburg has the edge 10-8 in the all-time series between the teams, including having won seven of the past eight match-ups, the Hilltoppers took the most recent game 6-5 over the Bobcats.

The Players: FSU is led by First Team All-MEC honoree senior Jamie Roberts, who leads the team in batting average (.410), hits (64), home runs (10), and RBI (46), while also winning nine games on the mound with a team-high 80 strikeouts. Joining her in receiving All-MEC honors are sophomores Gracie Nelson and Arden Miller, who have combined for 77 hits, 64 runs scored, 43 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. Also providing a spark offensively has been junior Allyssa Albright, second on the team in average (.379) while leading the team in doubles at 14. In the circle, seniors Katie Chapple and Sydney Theobald have won a combined 18 games, including five shutouts and 90 strikeouts.

WLU's offense is headlined by First Team honoree Jaden Conrad, who leads the team in batting average (.357), hits (50), home runs (4) and RBI (26). Just behind her in the lineup is Kayla Mancuso, who is tops on the team in runs scored (35) and stolen bases (14), while Sara Simon (11 doubles) and Mallory Rosnick (8 doubles, 4 home runs) supply some power bats. On the mound, Kadence Pettit received Second Team All-MEC honors as the team's leader in ERA (3.85), wins (9), innings pitched (124), and strikeouts (82). Also in the circle, Madison Angus and Ashlyn Tapman have combined for 73 K's and seven complete games.

The Rest of the Field: Across the other games of the MEC tournament, Fairmont State defeated Concord 7-1, while Notre Dame eked out a 2-1 victory over Glenville State to set up another elimination game between the Pioneers and Mountain Lions.

2024 MEC SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEEDINGS
NORTH: #1 Fairmont State, #2 Frostburg State, #3 Notre Dame College, #4 West Liberty
SOUTH: #1 Charleston., #2 Glenville State, #3 Davis & Elkins, #4 Concord

Wednesday, MAY 1 – FIRST ROUND
#1S Charleston vs #4N West Liberty – UC wins 9-0
#2N Frostburg State vs #3S Davis & Elkins – D&E wins 5-4
#2S Glenville State vs #3N Notre Dame – NDC wins 2-1
#1N Fairmont State vs #4S Concord – FAIR wins 7-1
 
Thursday, MAY 2 – SECOND ROUND
#1S Charleston vs #3S Davis & Elkins – 12 p.m.
#3N Notre Dame vs #1N Fairmont State – 12 p.m.
#4N West Liberty vs #2N Frostburg State – 12 p.m.
#2S Glenville State vs #4S Concord 12 p.m.
 
Thursday, MAY 2 – THIRD ROUND
Loser of NDC/FAIR vs Winner of WLU/FROST – 5 p.m.
Loser of UC/D&E vs Winner of GSU/CU – 5 p.m.