TUCSON, Ariz. (Dec. 22) – The Wheeling University baseball team is receiving votes in the
Collegiate Baseball 2021 NCAA Division II Preseason Poll announced the organization Tuesday.
Wheeling, under third-year Head Coach
Ryan Lewicki, was one of 12 teams from the Atlantic Region to appear in the poll, and one of just two teams from the Mountain East Conference (MEC) mentioned. The University of Charleston was also receiving votes in the poll.
The University of Tampa, who won the 2019 Division II Championship, was selected as the preseason-favorite.
The 2020 Cardinals were well on their way to shattering numerous school records before the season came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wheeling held a 9-4 record when the season was called and were well on pace to break the school-record of 19 wins in a single-season. The 2020 season marked the first time the program had ever finished a season with a winning-record in school-history.
The team's signature victory came in a 6-5 come-from-behind win on February 23 at regionally-ranked California University of Pennsylvania. The Cardinals scored three runs in the ninth inning to take the lead and snap a 13-game losing-streak to the Vulcans that dated back to 2007.
Wheeling is currently scheduled to open its season on Friday, February 26 with a three-game series against Cal U at Wild Things Park in Washington, Pennsylvania.
