Cougars Sweep Cardinals to Climb Over .500 in Region 20 Play

Frederick Community College Cougars softball turned in a clutch performance at home sweeping a Region 20 doubleheader against CCBC Catonsville Cardinals and improving to 10-19 overall and 9-7 Region 20 DII contests. 

In Game 1, after falling behind 2-0 early, the Cougars responded in the bottom of the second inning with a four-run surge. Key hits from Raegan Miller, Brooke Renninger, and Leo Cline powered the rally, giving Frederick a lead they never gave back. FCC added insurance runs in the fourth and fifth, and freshman pitcher Alondra Sidock earned her first collegiate win with a complete game, scattering nine hits and allowing just three runs over seven innings. Her poise in the circle was crucial in preserving the 6-3 victory.

Game 2 saw more offensive firepower from the Cougars, who jumped out to another early lead with two runs in each of the first two innings. Brianna Dehoff put on a hitting clinic, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs, including a two-run single in the second that extended the lead to 4-0. Although Catonsville responded with four runs in the third, FCC wasn't shaken and continued to battle. Piper Barnes came through with a go-ahead RBI single in the fifth, and after the Cardinals tied it again in the sixth. Kaitlin Murphy shut the door in the final innings with two strong frames of relief, and Dehoff hit a ball off the wall to drive in the winning run to walk it off in the eighth and seal the 6-5 win.

The doubleheader sweep pushes the Cougars above .500 in Region DII play for the first time this season. The Cougars return to action at home on Monday, April 14, when they host WVU Potomac State College for a doubleheader starting at 3 PM.