Bobcats Fall to ECC Falcons in Monday Doubleheader

Frontier Community College softball dropped a pair of games to East Central College on Monday, falling 8-0 and 4-3 to the Falcons at ECC.

Game 1 – ECC 8, Frontier 0

The Frontier Bobcats had trouble keeping pace with the ECC Falcons in an 8-0 loss Monday.

East Central broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning when Stephanie LeValley doubled to put the Falcons on the board.

Chloe Papineau started in the circle for FCC. The Frontier pitcher allowed nine hits and four runs over five innings while striking out eight and walking none. Ellie Hopen started for ECC and kept the Bobcat offense in check, allowing just one hit over six innings while striking out five and walking six.

Alicia Stanley recorded the lone hit for Frontier, finishing 1-for-3 at the plate. The Bobcats showed patience offensively with six walks in the game. Hessi Johnson and Rylee Hendricks each drew two walks to lead FCC.

Defensively, the Bobcats were solid and committed no errors. Stanley led Frontier with nine chances in the field.

ECC totaled 12 hits in the game. KaCee Jenkins drove in three runs to lead the Falcons offense, finishing 1-for-4. Amelia Wiesler led East Central with a 3-for-4 performance, while Ashlynn Samson, LeValley, and Morgan Clubb each added multiple hits.

The Falcons were aggressive on the base paths as Samson, Sophia Randolph, and Maggie Stubenrauch each stole multiple bases. ECC finished the game with six stolen bases. The Falcons were also error-free defensively, with Stubenrauch recording six fielding chances.

Game 2 – ECC 4, Frontier 3

Frontier nearly rallied from an early deficit but came up just short in a 4-3 loss to the ECC Falcons in the second game of Monday's doubleheader.

East Central built a four-run lead in the bottom of the third inning. Meredith Blakemore delivered a two-run double, then later scored after tagging up. Kaylee Howerton also scored on a sacrifice situation to give the Falcons their advantage.

Lexi Miller started in the circle for the Bobcats, allowing two hits and four runs (two earned) over three innings while striking out four and walking three.

ECC starter Ava Declue went the distance for the Falcons, allowing three hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out 13 and walking one.

Chloe Papineau provided a spark for FCC at the plate, driving in two runs while going 1-for-3. Papineau, Rylee Hendricks, and Peyton Smith each collected a hit for Frontier.

For ECC, Blakemore, LeValley, and Randolph each recorded a hit. Blakemore, Morgan Clubb, and Jenkins each drove in a run for the Falcons.

Randolph created problems on the base paths for East Central, stealing four bases as the Falcons finished with seven stolen bases in the game. ECC also drew four walks at the plate.

The Frontier Bobcats are now 0-8 overall on the season. FCC softball returns home Thursday to host John A. Logan College in a doubleheader at Southwest Park. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

For the latest news and updates on Bobcat athletics, visit fccbobcats.com.