Slugfest Slips Away Late as Cougars Fall to Garrett

In a high-scoring battle at home, the Frederick Community College Cougars found themselves on the wrong end of a back-and-forth nine-inning slugfest, falling 17-14 to Garrett College despite multiple explosive offensive stretches. Frederick's record now stands at 26-11 overall and 16-4 in Region 20 play following a game that featured momentum swings in nearly every inning.

After falling behind early, the Cougars responded in a big way in the third inning, erupting for six runs highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Casey Westerberg that ignited the Frederick dugout and gave the home side a 6-2 advantage. The offense continued to produce throughout the game, with Vincenzo Cusat delivering a massive performance that included a three-run home run and four RBIs, while Luis Perez Alfaro added three hits and two RBIs of his own. Tysan Gingerich chipped in with a key two-run single as Frederick built multiple leads and kept pressure on Garrett's pitching staff.

However, the game turned in the middle innings as Garrett capitalized on walks and defensive miscues to post a six-run sixth inning, followed by a five-run seventh that shifted control. Despite the Cougars answering with a three-run blast from Cusat in the sixth and continuing to chip away late with runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, the deficit proved too much to overcome. 

Frederick will look to regroup quickly as they return to Region 20 action with a doubleheader at home against Chesapeake College on Sunday, April 26 at 1:00 PM.