Donaldson's Shutout, Miller's Late Hit Helps Softball Take Game Two From D&E

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Softball team split their opening MEC doubleheader with Davis & Elkins on Friday, falling in the first game with a close score of 2-1 before taking game two 1-0. 
 
Senior Kate Chapple got the go from the circle in game one, as Davis & Elkins worked quickly, belting three hits for two runs to jump in front 2-0 after their first at-bats.  Frostburg fought for one run in their first look at offense, as senior Hanna Binek drew a walk and scored on back-to-back singles from juniors Arden Miller and Olivia Stetler, with the latter receiving the RBI.  Chapple found her groove in her next appearance, sitting the Senators down in order.  Senior Laura Gilford and Miller both knotted singles in the bottom of the second, as three Bobcats were left on base to end the inning. 
 
Both squads saw a 1-2-3 third inning, with Chapple again putting D&E down in order in both the third and fourth innings.  Gilford reached base in the bottom of the fourth off a fielder's choice, but was stranded on base.  Davis & Elkins was able to secure a hit in the fifth, but Chapple got out of the inning to keep the game at 2-1.  Miller recorded another single in the inning, but FSU was unable to get the tying run home. 
 
Chapple was able to throw out of a jam in the sixth after walking the first two batters.  Freshman Bri Russo drew a walk in Frostburg's at-bats of the inning, but again FSU wasn't able to get her home.  Chapple stranded a Senator on base in the top of the seventh, giving her team a chance in the bottom of the inning, but the Bobcats saw a 1-2-3 outing, dropping the game 2-1. 
 
Game two remained a pitcher dual, as freshman Izabella Donaldson got the start, striking out the side to begin her time on the mound.  Binek again drew an early walk, but Davis & Elkins was able to get out of the first with a scoreless game.  The Senators knocked the first hit of the game to get one aboard in the second, but three quick outs from Donaldson shut down any action from D&E.  Senior Samara Funk took a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the inning, but the score remained 0-0 after two. 
 
Donaldson picked up another strikeout in the third, as Frostburg was still in search of their first hit of the game after drawing another walk in their offensive outing of the inning.  Donaldson worked her way out of a jam in the fourth, leaving two on for Davis & Elkins.  In the bottom of the inning, Funk finally connected on FSU's first hit of the game, showing a single to center field.  Russo then reached base off an error from D&E, putting two on for the Bobcats, but Frostburg was unable to capitalize. 
 
Davis & Elkins knocked an infield single in the fifth, but a strikeout from Donaldson worked FSU out of the inning with two Senators on base.  The Bobcats saw no hits in the bottom half of the fifth, as continuing her success in the circle was Donaldson, who faced the minimum in the top of the sixth.  Looking to rally was Frostburg, as Miller saved the day, knocking a double to right, where it was bottled around, allowing her to capitalize and use her speed to go all the way around to give FSU a 1-0 lead heading into the seventh.  Donaldson sat D&E down in order, recording another strikeout to end the game and give the Bobcats their first conference win of the season. 
 
Miller paved the way offensively for Frostburg, raking four total hits for one run and one RBI.  Funk was next with a pair, while Stetler and Gilford each saw one.  Chapple threw her first complete game of the season in game one, as Donaldson secured her third win of the season for her first collegiate shutout, giving up five hits and seven innings while striking out nine in game two. 
 
With the split, Frostburg goes to 5-13 on the season, while Davis & Elkins moves to 6-17.  The Bobcats are back in action at home for their next contest, as they welcome in West Virginia Wesleyan on Tuesday, March 18 at 1 PM.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.