Bobcats Trade Blows with #19 JALC, Come Up Short in Twin Bill

The Frontier Community College Bobcats baseball team welcomed No. 19 JALC to FNB Field on Saturday, March 28 for a doubleheader. The matchup came just two days after the Bobcats and Volunteers met in Carterville. 

Game 1 – No. 19 JALC 14, Frontier 7 

Both teams produced strong offensive performances, but Frontier fell to JALC 14-7 in the opener. The Volunteers totaled 15 hits, while the Bobcats recorded 13. 

Mayes Gosser led the way for Frontier, going 4-for-5 at the plate with a double and three singles. 

JALC jumped out early in the top of the first inning, scoring four runs behind key hits from Kameron Yearsley and Hayden Bates, along with an RBI groundout from Hayden Bernreuter. 

The Volunteers added three more runs in the second inning, highlighted by a Bernreuter double, and broke the game open in the fourth with five runs. An error brought in two runs before Bates launched a two-run home run to extend the lead. 

Braxton Mathews took the loss for the Bobcats, allowing 11 runs (seven earned) over three and one-third innings. Jonny Lee provided a solid relief outing, giving up just one run over three and two-thirds innings while striking out three. 

Frontier's offense stayed active throughout the game. Gael Salinas and Kasey Lowe each recorded multiple hits, while Josh French and Asa Dunlevey created pressure on the bases with multiple stolen bases. The Bobcats totaled five stolen bases and turned two double plays defensively. 

JALC was led by Bernreuter, who drove in five runs, while Justin Lang, Jonah Weathers, and Bates each collected three hits. The Volunteers also showed patience at the plate, drawing nine walks. 

Game 2 – No. 19 JALC 8, Frontier 7 

Game two was a back-and-forth battle, but JALC edged Frontier 8-7 to complete the sweep. 

Kasey Lowe paced the Bobcats offensively, going 3-for-4 with three singles. 

Frontier struck first in the second inning when Lowe delivered an RBI single. However, JALC responded with a six-run third inning to take a 6-2 lead, highlighted by a two-run double from Bryce Nevils. 

The Bobcats answered with a strong rally, using a combination of timely hitting and situational play to tie the game at six in the fifth inning. Lowe's RBI single capped the comeback. 

JALC regained the lead in the sixth when Jonah Weathers doubled to drive in two runs, giving the Volunteers an 8-6 advantage. 

Frontier continued to battle and finished with 11 hits. Cam Napier added two hits, while the Bobcats showed discipline at the plate with seven walks. Asa Dunlevey and Sean McConachie each drew two walks. 

Ian-Olivier Beaulieu started on the mound for Frontier, allowing six runs over four innings. Bailey Collins was charged with the loss in relief. 

JALC also recorded 11 hits, with Carter Johnson, Weathers, and Roman Sienza each tallying two hits. Weathers led the Volunteers with three RBIs. JALC played clean defense, committing no errors, and turned two double plays. 

With the losses, the Bobcats move to 21-12 overall. Frontier will host Parkland College on Tuesday at FNB Field, travel to Southwestern Illinois on Thursday, and return home to face SWIC on Friday. All Bobcats baseball games are weather permitting.