Bobcats Win Championship Opener

More news about: Frostburg State

APPLETON, Wisc. – Frostburg made the most of its first-ever game in the World Series, Friday, as the Bobcats earned a 3-1 victory over Ramapo in the opening game of the 2015 Division III Championship.

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Full Game Replay
 
Junior Zach Keeler drove in the winning runs in the sixth and freshman Greg Schneider earned his ninth win on the mound as second-ranked Frostburg collected its first-ever win its first-ever trip to the World Series.
 
"I'm very happy for these guys. Another gutty, gritty performance out of our pitching staff and a clutch two-out hit by this guy (Zach Keeler)," said head coach Guy Robertson. "It's nice to get going and it's nice to get a win out of the gate. Hopefully that is something that can take the pressure off a little bit and help us get going."
 
The Bobcats (42-7) struck first in the bottom of the first when senior Ricky Castro singled up the middle, senior Zach Weiss singled to left center and senior Nick Walker plated Castro with a single through the right side.
 
Ramapo (32-15) answered with its only run in the bottom of the second to knot things at 1-1.
 
However, Keeler and the Bobcats answered in the sixth and kept the Roadrunners from making a charge.
 
Castro led off the frame and reached base on a fielding error. He advanced to second on a ground out and wound up on third thanks to a wild pitch. Castro and senior Ricky Brady scored when Keeler singled to center.
 
"I don't think our guys approached this ballgame any different than they approached the CAC Tournament, the regional tournament or any other big game," said Robertson when asked about the slower start. "We had one of the best practices we've had all year yesterday, combined between when we were here (Fox Cities Stadium) and when we over at the legion field hitting."
 
"I think these guys have learned to relax and let the game come to them," added Robertson. "We've talked about this kind of game and this kind of atmosphere and we said just to relax and slow down. Let the pace of the game come to us."
 
Schneider posted the win behind four strikeouts and just one earned run. He scattered six hits in 7.0 innings before junior Nick Huff earned the save after pitching the final 2.0 innings and holding Ramapo hitless.

Castro finished 2-for-3 with two runs, while Keeler was 1-for-4 with two RBI. Junior Jamal Windom also contributed two hits.
 
Frostburg returns for the second day of the 2015 NCAA Championship tomorrow at 1:15 pm (CT). The Bobcats will take on No. 1-ranked Cortland on Friday at 1:15 pm (CT).
 
Fans can follow all of the action at www.ncaa.com.

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Junior Zach Keeler … On his two-run single
"He was pitching outside all day so I knew that that is what would be coming. I knew it was a big situation as we needed those two runs at that point. I just looked for a pitch in my spot and I got it and just took it the other way."
 
Freshman Greg Schneider … On his pitching effort
"At first nothing was working as they had my number. They were hitting curveballs and fastballs. I threw a few change ups and they were hitting that too. My pitching coach just gave me a few words between innings and I just went back out there and did my best."
 
Senior Ricky Castro … On his two runs scored
"I just looked for a good pitch to hit. I was just trying to get on base for my teammates."