Bobcats Strike Back, Sweep Warriors in Ina

Following a 2-0 loss to Rend Lake on Thursday, April 16 at FNB Field, Coach Matt McCue and his Bobcats Baseball team quickly regrouped, traveling to Ina the next day for a doubleheader against the Warriors. Frontier responded in a big way, sweeping Rend Lake in Friday's twin bill.

Game 1 – Frontier 7, Rend Lake 3

The Bobcats bounced back with a strong performance in the opener, defeating the Warriors 7-3.

FCC got on the board in the second inning when Josh French delivered an RBI single to give Frontier the early lead.

The Bobcats broke the game open in the fourth, plating five runs on five hits. Dillon James drove in a run with a single, Justin Early followed with a two-run double, and Cam Napier added another two-run double to extend the advantage.

Aaron Buffington earned the win on the mound for Frontier, turning in a dominant outing. He allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings while striking out eight and walking one. Caleb Boff provided solid relief, tossing two scoreless innings.

Offensively, FCC collected 11 hits in the game. French, Jordan Carter, James, and Gael Salinas each had two hits. Napier, Early, and James each drove in two runs, while French added two stolen bases as the Bobcats totaled five steals.

Rend Lake finished with nine hits, led by Kobie Howard, who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Seth Parsons also added two hits for the Warriors.

Game 2 – Frontier 12, Rend Lake 3

Frontier carried its momentum into game two, rolling to a 12-3 victory to complete the sweep.

Rend Lake struck first in the second inning on an RBI single by Bryce Minton, but the Bobcats answered in a big way in the third. FCC scored five runs to take control, highlighted by a two-run single from Mayes Gosser.

The Bobcats added insurance in the seventh inning, scoring five more runs. Kasey Lowe drew a bases-loaded walk, Napier delivered a two-run single, Salinas added a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch brought in another run.

In addition to his contribution at the plate, freshman catcher Kasey Lowe made program history during the game, breaking the single-season record for hit-by-pitches with his 26th of the season.

Ian-Olivier Beaulieu went the distance for Frontier, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits over seven innings while striking out two and walking three.

FCC recorded nine hits in the game, with Napier, Gosser, and Salinas each collecting two. The trio also drove in two runs apiece. The Bobcats showed patience at the plate with eight walks, led by Dillon James with two. Gosser added three stolen bases as Frontier again totaled five steals.

For Rend Lake, Joseph Derrick led the way with two hits, while Minton and Brendan McKinley each drove in a run. Howard added two stolen bases as the Warriors finished with three steals on the day.