Softball Ends #11 Golden Eagles 14 Game Win Streak with Victory in Game One of Doubleheader

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Softball team knocked off No. 11 Charleston (WV) in game one of their Friday doubleheader by a score of 7-5, but went on to fall 8-3 in game two. 
 
Charleston made a statement early, going for a hit and two runs in their first look at senior Katie Chapple in the circle.  Frostburg had a slow offensive start, getting one on in the top of the first with sophomore Arden Miller getting hit by a pitch, but was unable to get anything going.  The Golden Eagles tallied another run in their second at-bats, knocking two hits into the outfield, as Chapple concluded the inning with a strikeout, leaving one runner on base.  FSU saw a quick 1-2-3 outing from the plate in the bottom half of the inning, trailing 3-0 after two. 
 
Chapple stranded two UC runners on in the top of the third, as the Bobcats saw another quick inning offensively.  In the top half of the fourth, Chapple sat Charleston down in order, setting up Frostburg's offense for their first hits of the game.  Miller was hit by a pitch once again to lead off the inning, as senior Jamie Roberts then recorded a single to advance Miller to second.  Miller then advanced to third on an error by the UC catcher, allowing her to trot home safely off an RBI double to center field by sophomore Olivia Stetler to put the Bobcats on the board. 
 
The Golden Eagles responded right away, taking the run back in the start of the fifth, bringing the game to 4-1, as FSU's defense made a play at home to end the inning.  The Bobcats erupted to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth, with junior Allyssa Albright leading off the inning with a single to left, as freshman Kylee Piconi came in to pinch run.  Senior Ava Gnibus then singled, with sophomore Gracie Nelson following with a walk to load the bases.  A sacrifice fly from Miller scored Piconi, as both Gnibus and Nelson scored due to a pass ball and error by Charleston's catcher, tying the game at 4-4.  Roberts then knotted another single, as junior Cristina Sommerkamp was gifted a walk to put two more on for Frostburg.  Junior Samara Funk then roped an RBI double to right center, scoring both Roberts and Sommerkamp to give the Bobcats their first lead of the game at 6-4. 
 
UC knocked a hit in the top of the sixth, but were unable to capitalize, with Chapple serving up three straight outs to end the inning.  FSU tacked on another run to their advantage in their look at the plate in the sixth, as Albright led off with a double to center field, with Chapple serving as the pinch runner.  On the very next at-bat, Gnibus smacked an RBI double to left center, bringing in Chapple to push the score to 7-4.  The Golden Eagles scored one run in their last chance at-bats, belting a home run over the fence, but Chapple was able to handle Charleston to end the inning and finish the game with Frostburg on top 7-5. 
 
Charleston started game two the same way they started game one, racking up hits right off the bat, causing FSU to change pitchers down 5-0 after the first.  Nelson got on base to start the game for the Bobcats, bunting for a single, but was unable to advance on a fielder's choice by Miller.  Stetler then singled to right field, moving Miller to second, as Sommerkamp ripped an RBI single to right to score Miller for a 5-1 game.  Coming in for senior Syndey Theobald in the first inning, sophomore Ally Myers continued to throw in the second, before allowing two to get on base, causing Roberts to come to the mound.  The Golden Eagles were able to score a run before the inning ended, as Roberts left two runners on. 
 
Both teams each saw a 1-2-3 at-bat, before FSU got their offense going in the third, with Roberts getting the ball rolling with a single to center, advancing to second on a wild pitch, and coming in to score as Stetler reached on an error by UC's outfield.  Roberts was able to settle Charleston down from the circle, giving up no hits in the top half of the fourth.  Frostburg put two on in their looks at offense in the inning but stranded both.  The Golden Eagles went for another run in the top of the fifth off one hit, as the Bobcats found themselves down 7-2 heading into the sixth.
 
Roberts stranded two more Golden Eagles in the top half of the sixth, before FSU put some base runners on in the bottom of the inning.  Sommerkamp started off with a single and stolen base, as Funk and sophomore Ashlynn Routzahn drawing back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Frostburg.  Albright, with a sacrifice fly to center, then brought home Sommerkamp from third, allowing the score to read 7-3. 
 
Charleston quickly put another run on the board in the seventh, off a pair of doubles, as Roberts left two on to send the Bobcats into their last at-bats.  FSU was able to get one runner on, but couldn't get anything going, falling in the second game 8-3. 
 
Roberts led the way for FSU on offense with three hits and two runs on the day, while Stelter, Sommerkamp, Albright, and Gnibus all recorded a pair of hits each, and Nelson and Funk both provided one.  With the win in game one, Chapple brings her record to 6-4, throwing a complete game, allowing five runs off nine hits, only walking two, and striking out three. 
 
With the split, Frostburg goes to 27-18 on the season, while Charleston moves to 40-3.  The Bobcats return to action on Saturday, April 27, welcoming in West Virginia State for their regular season finale with game one set for 1 PM, as the team will celebrate Senior Day and Bobcat Youth Day.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.