Wheeling, W. Va. - Last weekend, the Wheeling University Baseball Team (0-3, 0-0) opened the 2022 season facing some of the best competition in Division II Baseball down in Florida. They continue their string of tough non-conference action as they head to Murfreesboro, North Carolina for a three-game set with Chowan University. The two teams will play two seven-inning games on Saturday and will wrap up the weekend with a full nine-inning game on Sunday.
While down in Florida, Wheeling took on Palm Beach Atlantic University, Lynn University, and Nova Southeastern dropping all three contests. However, the offense showed an ability to put the bat on the ball, and scored six or more runs in every game, while also pounding out nine plus hits in each of the three games. It was a chance for the Cardinals to get back out on the field and face some tough competition as they continue pushing forward towards their goal of earning a birth in the NCAA Tournament this season.
It was a big weekend all-around for the offense, but one stand out for the Cardinals was senior outfielder Chris Iazzetta. He finished the weekend hitting .444 (4-9) with two home runs and seven RBI over the three games. Iazzetta was tied for the lead in home runs for Wheeling a year ago and built off what was a very productive junior campaign. Fellow senior Jack Skantze proved he was a force at the top of the Cardinal lineup, hitting .385 with three RBI, and Anthony May had a strong weekend going 5-10 (.500) at the plate with a home run and three RBI. The Cardinals averaged seven runs per game over the weekend and look to keep putting bat on ball throughout the season.
On the mound, Wheeling saw a couple of strong performances, but none stronger than Dominic Parker-McDonald. The junior entered the game against Palm Beach Atlantic and threw three hitless innings while striking out three batters. The only base runner Parker-McDonald allowed came on a walk as he started his season on a high note. Senior Logan Pillars also made his first start of the year in the third game of the weekend and pitched well, going 3.0 innings, and allowing two runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out one.
As the Cardinals go through their non-conference schedule, they are set to face some tough opponents down the stretch. After facing Chowan this weekend, Wheeling has a three-game set against Cal-U in two weeks, a spring trip to Salem, West Virginia, and a three-game set with IUP before their conference opener. With several regional opponents in that stretch, Wheeling will be looking to make their way into those early season rankings while getting ready for conference play. The lineup has shown they can hit the ball consistently and they are looking to back up their pitching staff the rest of the way.
The Matchup
This weekend's three-game set will mark the first ever meetings between the Cardinals and Hawks. Chowan started their season last weekend as well with a four-game weekend set against Kutztown, splitting the games 2-2. The Hawks scored at least three runs in every game they played and went over the seven run mark twice on the weekend. Wheeling will be looking to start the all-time series off strong and follow their head coach Ryan Lewicki's goal of winning the weekend.
The Details
First Pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 12 PM followed by the second game at 2:30 pm. Sunday's finale will be played at noon. You can watch all the games live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
