Thrilling Game Two Comeback Gives Softball Split With Flagler, Converse

SALISBURY, N.C. – In concluding their trip down South, the Frostburg State Softball team split their contests with Flagler and Converse, falling 6-3 in game one before a come-from-behind 11-8 win in game two on Sunday.
 
Once again facing off against Flagler in the first game, senior Laura Gilford ripped a double into the gap in right-center to start the game, but would be left stranded after a fly out, strike out, and groundout. The Saints also knocked a lead-off double, then immediately followed up with an RBI single, a hit by pitch, and a sac bunt to take a 2-0 lead after one. After a scoreless second, senior Allyssa Albright put a single into left to begin the third. Freshman Zoey Marinello then worked a one-out walk while senior Samara Funk ripped a ball up the middle to load the bases after a fielder's choice. Junior Olivia Stetler then had another patient at-bat, bringing home Marinello to get the Bobcats on the board.
 
 In the bottom half of the frame, freshman Izabella Donaldson allowed a one-out double but was helped out by her defense, as freshman Bri Russo caught a fly ball and fired into third to catch the runner trying to advance, keeping the game at 2-1. Neither side had a baserunner in the fourth, while FC managed to tack on a couple insurance runs in the fifth on a walk and two-run homer. Frostburg was able to get a run back in the sixth, as Russo reached on a fielder's choice and junior Arden Miller was hit by a pitch, while Albright and Donaldson drew back-to-back walks to force in another run at 4-2.
 
Flagler didn't let the game stay close long, as they worked a single, an error, and a walk to fill the bases in the sixth, driving two more home on another single and walk to lead 6-2. Funk tried to give the Bobcats a spark with a one-out solo shot in the top of the seventh, but a strikeout and fly out ended any hopes of a comeback with a 6-3 final.
 
Frunk was the lone player to reach multiple hits for Frostburg, with Stetler and Donaldson joining her in driving in a run apiece.
 
FSU faced an immediate deficit to begin the second contest, as Converse plated six runs in the top of the first, culminating in a grand slam for an early lead. Senior Katie Chapple came on relief to close out the frame, getting a pair of strikeouts either side of a single to bring Frostburg to the plate. Funk drew a lead-off walk, then after back-to-back K's it seemed she would be left stranded, however Stetler pushed a single the other way, allowing the former to get to third and eventually score on a wild pitch.
 
Chapple worked around a single and a walk to begin the second frame, getting a pop out and a 5-4 double play to end the Valkyrie half. Donaldson drew a lead-off walk to get the Bobcats a baserunner, which was immediately rewarded as Miller smacked a ball to straightaway center to pull within 6-3. Once again, Chapple kept her team within striking distance, allowing another walk in the third but no further damage, as FSU transformed the game in their at-bats.
 
Albright and Stetler drew back-to-back walks, then both advanced on a sac bunt from sophomore Katie Healy. Having pinch ran for Albright, freshman Lauren Homa came in to score on an RBI single by Donaldson, then Miller stunned CU with another bomb down the left field line, plating three runs and giving Frostburg a 7-6 lead. Still in search of more, senior Hanna Binek ripped a single into left before moving up on a Funk walk and eventually scoring from an RBI knock by junior Gracie Nelson, cappting the five-run frame.
 
Converse was finally able to get to Chapple in the fourth, using a pair of singles and a wild pitch to pull back a run at 8-7, as Donaldson came in to get the final out. Both the Bobcats and Valkyries were held scoreless in their next trips to the plate, bringing FSU back up in the bottom of the fifth. Miller reached base once more on a walk, though she lent some of her power to Binek, who lifted Frostburg's third homer of the game out to center for a three-run advantage.  A CU error then allowed senior Cristina Sommerkamp to reach, as she advanced to second on a single from Funk and came all the way around to score on a bunt single by Nelson. Stetler batted another knock the other way to try and keep the momentum going, but a pop out and fielder's choice ended the inning with the Bobcats holding the lead 11-7.
 
The Valkyries tried to start a comeback in the sixth off a lead-off single and RBI double, but Donaldson settled in to get three of the next four batters out, maintaining the three-run advantage. FSU wasn't able to plate any insurance runs in the bottom of the frame, as Converse had one last shot to save the contest. Donaldson got a pair of quick outs on a pop-up to Funk and fly out to Nelson, then while a double kept the game alive, the freshman settled her nerves with a swinging strikeout to earn her first career save.
Binek finished 4-for-4 in the game, driving in a pair of runs and scoring two herself, while Miller, Stetler, and Nelson each enjoyed a pair of hits, combining for seven RBI, five coming off the two home runs from the former. In relief, Chapple and Donaldson combined to allow just seven hits in 6.2 innings, with just two runs allowed and five strikeouts.
 
With the split, Frostburg ends their opening weekend at 2-4, as both wins came against Converse. The Bobcats head back to North Carolina for another trip from Saturday, March 1 to Sunday, March 2 where they will have a combined four games against Lenoir-Rhyne and Mount Olive. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.