Bobcats Pull Off Stunning Comeback to Beat Mansfield

It has been a fulfilling week for senior Ryan Roell, being recognized twice for being a great baseball player, and top-notch student-athlete. Roell earned the DII Atlantic Region Hitter of the Week award, and the Mountain East Conference Player of the week for his performances against Shepard. Roell and the Bobcats tried to take that good week in stride going to Cary, NC on March 6th to play Saint Thomas Aquinas but were defeated 2-7. The weekend matchup of Frostburg State University (FSU) versus Mansfield University would give FSU a chance to avenge their loss.

The Mansfield Mounties started with possession. The Bobcats were able to force three outs immediately within the Mounties first three plays. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, they mirrored the Mounties’ ineffective possessions for the first three and a half innings. It wasn’t until the bottom of the third when FSU finally capitalized off their great defense. Bryce Jackson singled to left field, and Bret Fogle was able to run home for the first score of the game. From there, another scoring stalemate occurred with each offense having a short time being on the field, and fielders of each team being galvanized every time they deliver an out to the opposing team.

The top of the sixth inning brought new life to Mansfield. They had seemingly scored enough to put the game out of reach, especially with the pace in which this game was going. The Mounties formed a barrage of hits that resulted in runs. In a sequence of seven plays, Mansfield went from losing 1-0, to winning 5-1. Frostburg struggled to try to find their way back immediately, but when they gained possession again in the bottom of the seventh inning, they inched there way closer to coming back, making the score 5-3. By a Mansfield error, FSU had Mitch Fyffe and Worthy Hollister run in for scores off of Fogle’s hit and run. Gaining the ball back at the bottom of the ninth, FSU scored 3 times within the final two plays. On the first of the two plays, Fogle singled up mid-field assisting Fyffe and Andrew Smith on their runs home. On that play, Mike Brown advanced to second base, and by Jackson’s single a play later, Brown was able to make it all the way home with a walk-off win. The final score was 6-5 Bobcats.

Ben Vok was able to strike out a batter twice on the day, and Hayden McLaughlin gained four putouts earning the most of the FSU fielders. Though only hitting two, Fogle’s hits were at crucial points in the game that without them, it’s doubtful FSU is able to pull off the victory.

The Bobcats will take on the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks on Sunday, March 8. The game start will at 1 p.m.