Frontier Community College hosted Rock Valley College at FNB Field for a three-game series, featuring a doubleheader on Friday, February 28, and a single game on Saturday, March 1.
Game 1 Recap
In Friday's opener, Frontier dominated with a 12-2 victory. Gael Salinas led the offense, driving in four runs on four hits. He launched a three-run home run to left field in the seventh inning and added an RBI single in the eighth.
The Bobcats struck early, putting runs on the board in the first inning. Cole Sims tripled, Justin Early grounded out to drive in a run, Dillon James doubled down the left-field line, Nick Kaelin doubled to left field, and Brock Taulman followed with another double—each knocking in a run.
The team added another run in the third when Isaiah Thompson singled to left field.
Salinas' three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh extended the lead, securing the win.
Byler Reither earned the victory for Frontier, allowing just three hits and two runs over seven innings while striking out nine and walking four. Rock Valley College's Grant Marshall took the loss, surrendering five runs on six hits in one inning with no strikeouts or walks. Miles Whitesell pitched a scoreless inning in relief for Frontier, allowing one hit while striking out one and walking two.
The Bobcats racked up 15 hits in the game. Caden Myers, Cole Sims, and Nick Kaelin each recorded multiple hits, while Kaelin stole three bases. The team showed discipline at the plate, drawing seven walks, and aggressive baserunning led to five total stolen bases. Defensively, they played a clean game, committing no errors, with Kaelin leading the way with 11 putouts.
For Rock Valley College, John Spoto went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, while Konnor Giddley led the team in hits, going 2-for-4. Rock Valley turned one double play in the game.
Game 2 Recap
In a game filled with intense moments and clutch plays, the Golden Eagles held off a resilient Frontier team, securing a 7-5 win in a back-and-forth battle.
The game opened with Rock Valley taking an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, capitalizing on a single by Chase Wiese that brought in John Spoto. Frontier responded in the bottom of the inning when Ty Becker doubled to right field, scoring Gael Salinas and tying the game at 1-1. Caden Myers followed with another double, but a strong defensive play by Rock Valley prevented another run from scoring.
In the top of the fifth, Rock Valley surged ahead with a five-run inning. After a series of well-executed hits and a crucial triple by Wiese, the visitors jumped to a 6-3 lead. A key moment came when Gavin Obremski singled, bringing home Konnor Giddley and Spoto following a right-field error. Walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, leading to another run.
Frontier fought back in the bottom of the sixth. A well-placed single by Becker sent two runs across the plate, cutting the deficit to 6-5. However, a flyout and a strikeout ended the rally before they could reclaim the lead.
As the game entered the final inning, the Golden Eagles added an insurance run when Nick Mardis singled on a ground ball to shortstop, driving in Wiese and extending the lead to 7-5. In Frontier's last chance to make a comeback, Rock Valley's pitching held firm. The Bobcats managed two walks, but a crucial strikeout by Rock Valley's Jackson Wohlers ended the game with the tying run stranded.
Game 3 Recap
Both teams put up big numbers, but Frontier fell to Rock Valley 13-10 in Saturday's finale. Rock Valley collected 13 hits, while Frontier had nine.
Rock Valley got on the board in the first inning when Konnor Giddley singled to drive in a run. They added another in the second inning on a John Spoto single down the right-field line.
Frontier responded in the bottom of the second, taking the lead. Chance Pair homered to center field for two runs, and Gael Salinas walked, bringing in another.
Ty Becker hit a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the third for the Bobcats.
The Golden Eagles regained control in the top of the fourth, scoring five runs on four hits to take a 7-4 lead. The biggest blow came from a two-run double by River Lindsey.
Frontier answered in the bottom of the fourth with five runs on four hits to reclaim the lead, 9-7. Ty Becker contributed a two-run double during the rally.
The Golden Eagles surged back in the fifth, scoring five runs on just one hit to take a 12-9 lead. The key moment came when Chase Wiese drew a walk, bringing in a run.
In the top of the ninth, Logan Scuglik launched a solo home run to left field, extending Rock Valley's lead.
Troy McLeese earned the win for the Golden Eagles, allowing two hits and one run over four innings while striking out five and walking two. Ethan Payne pitched four innings in relief for Frontier, allowing three hits and one run while striking out four and walking two. Braxton Mathews took the loss for the Bobcats, going one and one-third innings, surrendering four runs on three hits, striking out two, and walking one. Drake Hartline started for Frontier, allowing five hits and two runs over three innings while striking out five and walking one. Ethan Storm started for Rock Valley, surrendering two hits and four runs over two and one-third innings, striking out five and walking four.
Frontier totaled nine hits. Chance Pair, Ty Becker, and Gael Salinas each had two hits, while Pair and Becker both drove in three runs. The Bobcats showed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks, with Caden Myers and Cole Sims leading the way with two each. Myers also stole two bases, and the team stole three overall.
Rock Valley recorded 13 hits. Lindsey went 3-for-6 with three RBIs, while Spoto and Lindsey each collected three hits. Giddley had two hits in five at-bats. Wiese led Rock Valley with three walks, and the team drew 11 walks overall. Lindsey also stole two bases, and the Golden Eagles stole four in total. They played a clean defensive game, turning one double play and committing no errors. Max Strash led the team in fielding chances with one.
The Bobcats are now 5-9 on the season. Their scheduled game against Kankakee Community College on Wednesday, March 5, has been canceled. Instead, they will travel to Westminster College for a single game at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, per Bobcats Baseball Coach Matt McCue.