Early Deficit Sinks Cougars Against Hagerstown

The Frederick Community College Cougars lost 4–1 at home to Hagerstown Community College on Thursday, dropping to a 9-4 record for the season, as an early deficit was too much to overcome. Playing on their home field in Frederick, the Cougars couldn't recover after Hagerstown took advantage of a chaotic first inning to take control.

Hagerstown plated all four of its runs in the opening frame, taking advantage of walks, wild pitches, and defensive miscues to build a quick lead despite recording just two hits in the inning. Frederick settled in after that, as the pitching staff combined to hold Hagerstown scoreless over the final eight innings. Ethan Duff, Evan Hassinger, Matthew Calabrese, Jacob Curtis, and Niko ThaLassinos all contributed strong relief appearances to keep the Cougars within striking distance.

Offensively, Frederick generated five hits but struggled to string together rallies. The Cougars broke through in the third inning when Cole Swinimer drove in Casey Westerberg with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 4–1, but that would be the only run of the day. Vincenzo Cusat, Luis Perez Alfaro, Braydon Kelman, and Jack Clarke each added hits, but Frederick could not find the timely hit needed to close the gap.

Frederick will look to respond quickly as they return to action on Saturday, March 21, for a home doubleheader against Harford Community College, with first pitch set for 1:00 PM.