Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 INSTITUTE, W.Va.---The Wheeling Jesuit baseball team bounced back to win game two and avoid a doubleheader sweep by West Virginia State University on the road Wednesday afternoon. The Cardinals fell 15-1 in the opener, but managed to secure a late scoring drive in game two for a 9-8 victory. With the split, Jesuit moved to 8-19 overall and 5-11 in WVIAC play while the Yellow Jackets are 12-14 overall and 11-7 in league play.
 
In game one, The Yellow Jackets' offense exploded for 11 runs in the second (5) and third (6) innings on four homeruns, three singles and two doubles. The WVSU pitching staff limited the Cardinals to just four hits in the opener as Time Geibel singled in the second inning and Mitch Ludewig doubled in the third inning – Ludewig scored on a WVSU fielding error. Jordan Kraus and Cory Wickham delivered back-to-back singles in the sixth inning, but the Cardinals could not plate anymore runs.
 
In game two, Kraus doubled to lead-off the game, and Patrick Ammar doubled behind him, plating Kraus for the game's first run. The Yellow Jackets loaded the bases in the bottom half of the first inning, but only managed to tie the game. The Cardinals added a run n the second inning, however, WVSU scored two runs for a 3-2 advantage. WJU's Chad Ford doubled to left centerfield and Tyler Kowalczyk followed with a RBI base hit to left center to plate Jesuit's run.
 
The Cardinals regained the lead in the third inning as Robbie Davia blasted a two-run bomb over the centerfield fence – Ammar reached on a WVSU fielding error. Again, the Yellow Jackets fought back and took over the scoreboard with three fourth inning runs for a 6-4 advantage.
 
WJU pulled within one run after the fifth inning as Mike Garman had a clutch one-out single to left center, scoring Ammar who singled to left field. The Yellow Jackets answered with two runs, and the Cardinals trailed 8-5 after five complete innings. In the sixth inning, Jesuit rallied for four runs. Kowalczyk started the inning with a walk, and pinch hitter, Geibel, cleared the playing surface with one swing of the bat to plate two runs. Trailing 8-7, Kraus reignited the rally with a bunt for a base hit and Ammar singled, placing runners at first and second. Kraus stole third and scored on a passed ball. Ammar, still at second base after the double steal, plated what proved to be the game winning run as Garman came up clutch again, this time, with a RBI double to right field.
 
The Cardinals called on Justin Fritts to close the door after regaining the lead. Fritts faced seven batters before recording the final out as he struck out two and walked one. Fritts received the two-inning one-run save while Garrett Sancomb earned the win. Josh Kernik started the game on the mound and received the no-decision.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action on Saturday and Sunday, April 6-7 in Johnstown, Pa.
against the University of Pitt-Johnstown. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. both days.