Griffin Bats Provide Difference in Sweep of Softball

GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Frostburg State Softball team lost their road doubleheader to Seton Hill on Friday afternoon by final scores of 15-10 and 6-4.
 
Junior Gracie Nelson led the game off with a two-strike single into left, moving up on a sac bunt from senior Hannah Binek. Nelson then took third by way of steal before senior Samara Funk drew a walk, while a Griffin error allowed the former to score and the latter to get to third. Senior Cristina Sommerkamp then brought Funk in on a sac fly to foul territory in left for a 2-0 Bobcat lead. SHU wasn't able to manage much during their at-bats, then Nelson ripped a triple into the gap in right-center, coming all the way to the plate on an error for a 3-0 advantage.
 
Seton Hill came roaring back in the bottom half, drawing a walk and a single to start the frame, with each runner advancing on a sacrifice. Another walk, an error, and a pair of doubles did enough damage to bring in five runs for the hosts to get their first lead. It wouldn't last long, however, as a pair of Griffin errors allowed two runners to reach, while Sommerkamp loaded the bases on a bunt single. Freshman Zoey Marinello brought junior Olivia Stetler in on a single to left center, then classmate Bri Russo plated each Bobcat on base with a grand slam blast to right-center. Junior Ashlynn Routzahn polished off the six-run frame with a solo shot to put Frostburg up 9-5.
 
SHU was able to get a couple runs back in their half at the plate, with a single, error, walk, and double steal combining to make the score 9-7. For the first time in the game, neither team drove a run across in the fourth, while FSU also couldn't muster their offense in the top of the fifth. The Griffins took advantage immediately, getting the first runner on with a single and following up with a two-run homer to straightaway center to tie things at 9-9. Their momentum continued with a walk, hit by pitch, two singles and a double that combined for another four runs to take a 13-9 lead.
 
With one out in the top of the sixth, junior Arden Miller roped a home run into left for Frostburg's third of the day to pull within three. Seton Hill wouldn't let the game get out of hand, as they used a pair of walks and errors in the bottom half to stay at arm's length up 15-10. FSU put a runner on in the top of the seventh, but three consecutive outs ended the first game with the five-run loss.
 
SHU sat the Bobcats down in order to start game two then started their at-bats with a walk, error, and three-run home run to take a swift lead. Stetler led off the second with a single into left, but didn't advance further following three straight strikeouts. FSU's only other runner through the next two innings would be Russo reaching on a base knock, but a double play ended any scoring threat. In the bottom of the fourth, Frostburg nearly got out clean with two pop-ups to start the frame, but a triple and single plated another Seton Hill run. After a 1-2-3 Bobcat fifth, the Griffins again took advantage of an FSU walk and error, putting a two-run double into right that made things 6-0.
 
Frostburg was finally able to get on the board in the top of the sixth, as freshman Julia Meagher led off with a liner up the middle and getting to second after a groundout. Russo was able to run out an infield single that also forced an error, bringing Meagher home. Miller reached on yet another error, while Stetler drew a walk to load the bases for sophomore Katie Healy, who ripped a double into the gap in left-center, scoring two. Marinello followed up with a single that plated Stetler and brought FSU within 6-4. SHU went down in order to bring the Bobcats back up with one last chance on offense in the seventh, but all they could manage was a two-out Russo walk to give the Griffins the sweep.
 
Russo led the offnse with three hits and five total RBI on the day, while Nelson and Marinello each recorded multiple knocks as well.
 
With the losses, Frostburg drops to 2-10 on the year, while Seton Hill improves to 8-4. The Bobcats next have their home opener as they face Bowie State on Sunday, March 9 for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.