Papineau Powers Bobcats to Split at Lincoln Trail

The Frontier Community College Bobcats softball team traveled to Robinson City Park in Robinson, Illinois, on Tuesday, March 31, for a doubleheader against the Lincoln Trail College Statesmen.

Game 1 – Lincoln Trail 8, Frontier 0

Frontier struggled to generate offense in an 8-0 loss to LT in the opener.

The Statesmen took control early in the bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on an error to score one run before adding two more on a single by Lexie Jenkins.

LT extended its lead in the second inning with a three-run home run to right field by Lily Hickman, then added two more runs in the third to take full command of the game.

Hickman earned the win in the circle for Lincoln Trail, allowing two hits over five scoreless innings while striking out four and walking two.

Lexi Miller took the loss for the Bobcats, pitching four innings and allowing eight runs (three earned) on four hits, while striking out four and walking six.

Chloe Papineau and Peyton Smith each recorded a hit for Frontier. The Bobcats also turned one double play defensively.

LT was led offensively by Hickman, who drove in three runs. Jenkins, Elahna Perry, Hickman, and Claira McGee each collected a hit. Lincoln Trail drew six walks and did not commit an error in the game.

Game 2 – Frontier 7, Lincoln Trail 3

Frontier bounced back in game two with a 7-3 victory, fueled by a strong all-around performance from Chloe Papineau.

Papineau drove in four runs on two hits, including a two-run home run in the third inning and a two-run single in the fourth.

In the circle, Papineau struck out 10 batters, allowing three runs on five hits over six and two-thirds innings while walking one.

Lincoln Trail opened the scoring in the first inning on a groundout by Addi Adams, but Frontier responded in the second when Harper Holeman hit a solo home run to tie the game.

The Bobcats took the lead for good in the third inning, using a Statesmen error to plate one run before Papineau's home run extended the advantage to 4-1.

Frontier finished with 11 hits in the game. Kayleigh Fodge, Papineau, Kyndall Webb, and Peyton Smith each had two hits, while Smith also added two stolen bases.

The Bobcats were solid defensively, committing no errors. Webb led the team with 10 defensive chances.

With the split against LT, Frontier moves to 8-18 overall. The Bobcats return home to host Lake Land College on Wednesday at Southwest Park for a doubleheader, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. The games are weather permitting.