Bobcats Bring the Boom in 12-2 Rout

FAIRFIELD, Ill. – With the postseason approaching and the regular season winding down, Coach Matt McCue and the Frontier Bobcats Baseball team continued their strong April stretch with a dominant 12-2 victory over the Lincoln Trail College Statesmen on Tuesday, April 22 at FNB Field. 

Frontier entered the contest having won seven of its last 11 games and having already defeated LT twice this season. The Bobcats made it three in a row behind a powerful offensive performance led by Gael Salinas. 

Salinas drove in four runs on two hits, highlighted by a three-run home run to left field in the first inning that gave Frontier an early lead. He later added an RBI single in the seventh to cap off his big day at the plate. 

The Bobcats broke the game open in the fifth inning, plating eight runs. Mayes Gosser was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in a run, and Josh French followed with an inside-the-park grand slam. Sean McConachie added an RBI double, Asa Dunlevey drove in a run with a single, and Salinas contributed another RBI on a groundout during the inning. 

LT's only scoring came in the seventh inning when Mitchell Davis hit a two-run home run to left field. 

Jonny Lee earned the win on the mound for Frontier, tossing five shutout innings while allowing just two hits. The right-hander struck out nine and walked three. Bailey Collins added a scoreless inning of relief. 

Offensively, the Bobcats collected 13 hits in the game. Salinas, Dunlevey, McConachie, and Kasey Lowe each recorded two hits. French and Salinas led the way with four RBIs apiece. Dunlevey also made an impact on the bases with three stolen bases, while Frontier swiped four total bags. 

Defensively, Frontier played a clean game, committing no errors and turning one double play. McConachie led the way with 12 defensive chances. 

For LT, Davis drove in both runs and went 1-for-3 at the plate. Landen Smith and Griff Schabel each added a hit for the Statesmen. 

With the win, Frontier improves to 31-16 overall and 16-11 in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference. The Bobcats return to action on the road Thursday, April 23 at Kaskaskia, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.