Cougars Stumble Against No. 6 Jones in World Series Opener

Frederick Community College's 11th trip to the NJCAA Division II World Series opened with a tough test Saturday at David Allen Memorial Ballpark, as the No. 11-seeded Cougars dropped an 8–2 decision to No. 6 Jones College in Game 2 of the 2026 championship bracket. 

Jones set the tone in the opening inning, capitalizing on control issues and situational hitting to take a 1–0 lead. Frederick began to break through in the fourth inning when Cole Swinimer reached and helped set the stage for a bases-loaded opportunity. Casey Westerberg delivered the Cougars' first run with a run-scoring walk, trimming the deficit to 3–1 and briefly energizing the Frederick dugout.

While Frederick starter Evan Hassinger battled through constant traffic across six innings, the right-hander recorded one strikeout but struggled with command, issuing six walks and hitting two batters, leading to seven runs, six earned, in the loss. Defensive lapses compounded the challenge for the Cougars, as three errors extended innings and allowed Jones to capitalize with additional runs.

Frederick continued to battle despite trailing, with Jack Clarke delivering a two-hit performance and Andrew Varga adding a double among the Cougars' seven hits. In the ninth inning, Westerberg provided a final highlight, launching a solo home run for his second RBI of the game and Frederick's lone extra-base damage beyond Varga's double. 

Quinn Brommer offered stability out of the bullpen for Frederick, working two innings and allowing just one run, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

With the loss, the Cougars now regroup as they continue their World Series journey. Frederick will await the loser of Sunday's matchup between No. 2 Pearl River and No. 10 Monroe Community College, with their next contest set for Monday, May 25 at 10:00 AM CT in the consolation bracket. Determined to make the most of their return to Enid, the Cougars will look to tighten up defensively and capitalize on scoring opportunities as they aim to extend their stay in Oklahoma.