Miller, Albright Power Softball to Split with Falcons

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Frostburg State Softball team split their Sunday road doubleheader with MEC opponent Notre Dame (Ohio), falling in game one 6-0 and taking game two with a 12-7 final.

Frostburg got one runner on to kick off game one, as sophomore Arden Miller reached base on a walk, but was stranded on base. Senior Jamie Roberts got the start from the circle in the first game, giving up a walk as well, leaving the runner on base. The Bobcats put two on board in the top of the second, off a walk and junior Hanna Binek being hit by a pitch, but were still unable to get anything going. Roberts sat NDC down in order in the bottom half of the inning, leaving the game scoreless heading into the third.

Roberts got the first hit for either team, knocking a single up the middle in FSU's at-bats of the third. Junior Cristina Sommerkamp walked, putting on one more for Frostburg, both being stranded yet again. The Falcons started their offense in the third as well, connecting on three hits and scoring three runs, while the Bobcats coughing up two errors. Freshman Kylee Piconi roped a single down the left field line in the top half of the fourth, with Roberts seeing a 1-2-3 inning from the circle in Notre Dame's next looks at the plate, leaving the game at 3-0.

Sophomore Gracie Nelson connected with a lead-off single to kick off the fifth, but was left on base. The Falcons were able to record two runs on two hits in their offensive half of the inning, pushing ahead 5-0. FSU put up two hits in the top of the sixth, with Piconi and junior Allyssa Albright knotting a single each, but the Bobcats were unable to send them around to score. Senior Katie Chapple came into pitch in the bottom half of the sixth, as NDC tacked on one more run to their lead. Junior Samara Funk roped the lone hit for Frostburg in the top of the seventh, as FSU fell 6-0 in game one.

Roberts started off game two with a lined single up the middle, recording the first hit once again for either team. Senior Syndey Theobald threw in game two, recording three quick outs from the circle in NDC's first at-bats. Both teams saw a slow second inning, with Theobald picking up a strikeout, as the Bobcats offense lit up for two runs in the top of the third. Senior Ava Gnibus knocked a lead-off double to center field, advancing to third as Miller put the ball in play, coming home to score on an RBI single from Funk. Funk then crossed home plate on an RBI double to right center from Roberts, seeing the score at 2-0. Notre Dame responded quickly in their offensive half of the inning, ripping two hits and scoring two runs to tie the game at 2-2.

The Bobcats kept their offensive rhythm going in the fourth inning, with senior Brianna Munday recording a single, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from Binek, and ending up on third after back-to-back walks. With the bases loaded, Albright ripped a two-RBI single through the left side to put Frostburg on top 4-2. With two runners on base, Miller hit a single, sending one runner home, as the Bobcat's fourth run of the inning crossed home plate on an error by NDC. Theobald gave up one single to the Falcons in the bottom half of the fourth, as the score read 6-2 heading into the fifth.

Binek recorded a single in the top of the fifth, with Notre Dame ripping two hits and scoring one run. Gnibus led off the sixth inning with a single, moving to third on a double to left field from Albright. With two runners on, Miller smacked a three-run bomb to right center, allowing Frostburg to jump ahead 9-3. Notre Dame went for three runs in the bottom half of the inning, bringing the game to 9-6 heading into the seventh.

Munday walked to start the seventh inning, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt from Binek, who reached base on a NDC error. Nelson came into pinch run for Binek, proceeding to steal second, as Munday came in to score on a sacrifice fly from Albright. Gnibus boarded base with a single, also stealing second, as Nelson stole home, and Gnibus proceeded to score as well off a wild pitch, putting FSU's lead at 12-6. Theobald gave up one run in the bottom of the seventh, as sophomore Ally Myers came in to get three quick outs to seal the 12-7 win in game two for Frostburg.

Albright, Gnibus, and Roberts each contributed three hits on the day, while combining for five runs and four RBI. Miller, Funk, and Piconi were each credited with a pair of hits, going for a total of five RBI and two runs. Roberts and Chapple combined for six strikeouts in game one, while Theobald picked up her sixth win of the season, striking out two in the second game.

With the split, FSU moves to 10-11 on the season, while NDC goes to 16-9. The Bobcats have a quick turnaround, facing Salem on the road in a doubleheader on Monday, March 25 with the first game set for 11 AM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.