Charleston, WV. – On Friday, the Wheeling University Softball team (9-13, 2-4) hit the road for a Mountain East Conference (MEC) doubleheader with The University of Charleston. The Cardinals had big days from hitters at the top of their lineup, but it wasn't enough as they dropped both ends of the doubleheader. Senior Taylor Hradek and Sophomore Cassi Roman each had strong games, but it wasn't enough to lift Wheeling to victory.

Game One: The University of Charleston 5, Wheeling 2

In the first game of the day, the Cardinals got the offense started early as Taylor Hradek reached on a leadoff single. She then stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch to set up a runner at third with nobody out. That brought up Makie Paxson, who came through with an RBI single that gave Wheeling a 1-0 lead. However, that is all they would get and they moved to the bottom of the first ahead 1-0 over the Golden Eagles. Starting pitcher Randi Holder took that lead to her advantage and retired the Golden Eagles 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first. As the game moved to the second, Holder allowed a pair of leadoff singles and then three batters later a three RBI single would give Charleston a 3-1 lead and brought Wheeling back to the bat racks.

The Golden Eagles would add another run in the fourth before Wheeling got themselves back on the board in the fifth. Hradek once again got the inning started with a leadoff double and was moved to third on a groundout by Paxson. Cassie Roman would pick her up with a sacrifice fly and Wheeling turned it into a two-run game at 4-2. That was the last run that Wheeling would score in the game as they fell 5-2. In the seventh, the Cardinals brought three batters to the plate, but they went down in order ending the game and handing Wheeling their first loss in the opening game of a conference doubleheader this season.

Hradek led the way on offense going 3-4 with two runs scored in the game and a double. She was the only Cardinal to pick up multiple hits in the game, but both Makie Paxson and Cassi Roman each picked up RBI in the game. Randi Holder got the start and went the complete game, allowing five runs on eight hits while walking six and striking out three. The Cardinals looked to bounce back in game two as they tried to earn their third split of the season.

Game Two: The University of Charleston 7, Wheeling 6

Game two came down to the wire, but in the end the Golden Eagles earned a walk-off win in the seventh inning to down the Cardinals. Unlike the first game, it was the Golden Eagles who started things with a bang, scoring two runs in the first, second, and fourth innings to take a 6-0 lead. Aubrie Lafferty got the start for Wheeling, but lasted just three innings allowing five runs on five hits while walking two and striking out two. The Cardinals were looking for a way to get on the board, but they were held to just one hit through the first four innings. However, they got the offense going in the top of the fifth, putting up four runs to get back in the game.

The inning started with three straight Cardinal singles to load the bases with nobody out for Cassi Roman. Roman came through with a three RBI double that cut the lead in half and made it a 6-3 game. Autumn Oehlstrom came up next and picked up Roman with an RBI single that made it a 6-4 game. In the top of the fifth, the Cardinals would add another run as Anna Florczak started the inning with a solo home run, her second in the last week, and made it a 6-5 game. They entered the top of the seventh down by that same score as they hopes to keep the game alive. Paxson took advantage of a Golden Eagle error, and moved to second with a stolen base. To set up Wheeling with a runner in scoring position with nobody out.

Cassi Roman stepped up and came through with an RBI single to tie the game at 6-6 and move things to the bottom of the seventh. However, the Cardinals would allow another run in the bottom of the seventh and Charleston swept the doubleheader with a walk-off groundout. It was the first time that Wheeling has been swept in a doubleheader this season. They now move to 2-4 in conference play and look to bounce back on Sunday. Cassie Roman led the way for the Cardinals going 3-4 while driving in four runs, scoring one, and picking up a double. She was the only Cardinal with multiple hits in the game while Autumn Oehlstrom and Anna Florczak picked up the other two RBI in the game.

The Wheeling University Softball team is back in action on Sunday, March 27th, when they take on West Virginia State at 2 & 4 PM.