JOHNSTOWN, PA – The nationally ranked Frostburg State University Bobcats used a number of big two out hits en route to a 10-8 come-from-behind Capital Athletic Conference baseball victory Friday afternoon over the York College Spartans in Johnstown, PA.

The Bobcats, who are ranked sixth in the nation, are now 24-3 and 14-2 in the league while the Spartans fall to 11-13 and 6-10 in the CAC.

Bobcat pitcher Ryan Callahan and Spartan pitcher Dan Gurganus (Prince Frederick, Md. / Huntingtown) both got off to a great start in the first inning of play by blanking opposing offenses. However, the Spartans struck first in the top of the second. With two-outs in the inning, Logan Countryman (Baltimore, Md. / Loch Raven) gave the Spartans the 1-0 as he crushed a solo shot to left field. The round tripper was Countryman's first of the year.

As Gurganus continued to keep the Bobcat offense off balance, the Spartans added to their lead in the top of the fourth. After Brad Wenzel (Blandon, Pa. / Fleetwood Area) led off with a single to right field, Stephen Miele (Allentown, Pa. / Salisbury) launched a two-run home run to left field. Steve Miller (Massapequea, N.Y. / Plainedge) then walked and Countryman singled through the right side, advancing Miller to second. Seth Brosius (Magnolia, Del. / Caesar Rodney) stroked a two-run triple to center field, expanding the Spartan lead to four. Scott Steffy (Downingtown, Pa. / Downingtown East) gave the Spartans the 6-0 lead as he drilled an RBI single to right field.

The Bobcats bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth. After JT Tipton reached on a fielder's choice as Connor Cooper was forced out at second, Greg Schneider singled through the right side. Ricky Castro roped a two-run triple down the right field line to cut the Spartan lead to four.

The Spartans continued to hit as Countryman doubled to left center with one out in the top of the sixth. Countryman then scored from second as Christian Bilan (Lumberton, N.J. / Camden Catholic) doubled to left field. Bilan advanced to third on a ground out by Brosius and would later give the Spartans the 8-2 lead as he scored on a wild pitch.

After Gurganus got two quick outs in the bottom of the sixth, Zach Keeler singled through the left side. Lane Farmer then stroked a two-run shot to left field, cutting the Spartan lead to four at 8-4. Two straight singles for Cooper and Tipton eventually put the Bobcats within one as Schneider hit a three-run home run to left field.

Gurganus' day would be done after the sixth as Zach Philippi (Levittown, Pa. / Harry S. Truman) came out of the pen to work the bottom of the seventh. Once again, the Spartans got two quick outs but gave up a single to Ricky Brady. Brady then advanced to third on two wild pitches by Philippi. After Keeler drew a walk, Farmer hit an RBI single through the left side to tie the game at eight. The Bobcats took the 9-8 lead as Cooper singled through the right side, scoring Keeler from second. Spartan head coach Mike Scappa saw enough as Patrick Pittman (Chester Springs, Pa. / Downingtown East) came in to relieve Philippi with two outs in the inning. Pittman gave up a single to Tipton, scoring Farmer from second to expand the Bobcats lead to two.

That would be all the runs needed for the Bobcats as Clayton Freimuth retired the Spartan side in order in the ninth to complete the 10-8 come from behind victory.  

It was certainly a pitcher by committee type of game for Frostburg State. Bobcat's starter Callahan allowed six runs on seven hits in five innings pitched. He struck out two Spartans. Kyle McCormack gave up two runs on three hits in 1.2 innings of work. Lawhorn earned his first victory of the season in 0.1 inning of relief. Tyler Hoffman and Freimuth combined for three Spartan strikeouts in the final two innings of the game.

Spartan starter Gurganus allowed seven runs on 12 hits in six innings pitched. Philippi suffered the loss as he gave up three runs on three hits in 0.2 innings of action. Pittman struck out two Bobcats while allowing two hits in his 1.1 innings of relief.

A whopping 17 hits produced by the Bobcats offense in the win. Schneider had himself a day at the plate with four hits and three RBI. Castro and Cooper recorded three hits each while Keeler, Farmer, and Tipton added two hits each in the win. Farmer matched Schneider's RBI with three while Castro added two.

For the Spartans, Countryman tied a career-high with three hits in four at-bats while he also set a new career high with three runs scored. Countryman's home run was his first career collegiate home run. Miele went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Brosius had two hits including his first career triple while he drove in a pair of runs.

The Spartans finish up their Capital Athletic Conference schedule tomorrow, April 11, as they travel to Captains Park in Newport News, Virginia to face the Christopher Newport Captains in a doubleheader. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 12:00 pm.

Recap written by Sean Naylor – Athletic Communications Student-Assistant.

Logan Countryman photo courtesy of David Sinclair