Cougars Force Game Three in Gritty First-Round Playoff Battle
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cecil College | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
|
Frederick Community College | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final (8) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cecil College | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
|
Frederick Community College | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 0 |
The Frederick Community College softball team battled on Saturday in the opening round of the Region 20 Division II Championship Tournament, splitting a best-of-three series with visiting fifth-seeded Cecil College. The fourth-seeded Cougars now face a must-win Game 3 on Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m. at home, with a trip to the Region 20 DII Final Four at CCBC Catonsville on the line.
In Game 1, the Cougars held a late 4-3 lead before the Seahawks rallied with three runs in the top of the seventh to steal a 6-4 victory. Freshman Kaitlin Murphy went the distance in the circle for Frederick, allowing just six hits but was tagged by a pair of home runs from Cecil, including a two-run shot that proved to be the game-winner. The Cougars had tied the game in the fifth behind a clutch RBI single from Kyleigh Hull and a go-ahead double from Leo Cline, but they couldn't add on in the final innings.
Game 2 was a different story. Down 5-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Cougars responded in dramatic fashion, as Cline delivered the biggest hit of the day—a three-run double that cleared the bases and capped a walk-off rally for a 7-5 win. Kaitlin Murphy sparked the offense early with a two-run home run in the first inning, and Ava Yockelson and Piper Barnes added key hits as part of a 13-hit outburst. Pitcher Hailey Justice turned in a gritty eight-inning complete game, striking out eight and working out of multiple jams to keep the Cougars within striking distance.
With the series tied 1-1, Frederick has another opportunity to continue its postseason journey. Game 3 will take place on Sunday, May 4 at 4 PM at their home field, and the winner will advance to the Region 20 Final Four.