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.
Latest Softball Stories
- Roberts Named NFCA First Team All-Region for Second-Straight SeasonFor the second consecutive season, Softball standout Jamie Roberts has been named NFCA First Team All-Region, as announced by the organization on Thursday.
- Softball Season Comes to a Close With Narrow Loss to West LibertyThe Frostburg State Softball team saw their season come to a close in the second round of the MEC Tournament with a 2-1 loss to West Liberty on Thursday afternoon.
- Late Softball Rally Falls Just Short in Opening Round Loss to SenatorsThe Frostburg State Softball team lost to Davis & Elkins 5-4 in the opening round of the MEC Tournament on Wednesday.
- MEC Softball Preview: #2N Frostburg State vs #3S Davis & ElkinsThe Frostburg State Softball team is set to face off against Davis & Elkins in the first round of the Mountain East Conference Tournament.
- Roberts Named First Team All-MEC, Miller and Nelson Receive Second Team HonorsThe Mountain East Conference announced its 2024 Softball award winners and all-conference teams on Tuesday afternoon, one day prior to the start of the conference tournament, which will be played May 1-May 4 at the Botetourt Sports Complex in Salem, VA.
- Roberts Tosses 5-Inning No-No in Softball Senior Day Sweep of Yellow JacketsThe Frostburg State Softball team swept West Virginia State in their regular season finale, defeating the Yellow Jackets 3-2 in game one and going for a 10-0 five inning victory in game two.