Wheeling, W. Va. – Last weekend, the Wheeling University Softball team (4-3, 0-0) embarked on their first spring trip of the year when they went to Owensboro, Kentucky to play five games in the span of three days. They now are set for their second spring trip of the year, this time to Winterhaven, Florida, where they are set for eight games in five days. It is the Cardinals final tune-up before the start of Mountain East Conference (MEC) play on March 19th.
In their previous spring trip, the Cardinals managed to go 2-3 over their five games in Kentucky. They scored a combined 13 runs in those five games and had strong performances both in the batters box and in the circle. The team began the weekend with an 8-4 win over Cedarvile in the opener, a day that got moved around thanks to inclement weather, before being swept in a double header on day two. They rounded out the trip with a 3-1 win over Missouri S&T and a 3-0 loss at the hands of Ohio Dominican. Overall, it was a successful weekend for the Cardinals as they kept their record above .500, and showed they can compete against non-conference opponents as they prepare for their conference opener.
After not taking the circle in the team's season-opening doubleheader against Salem, Sophomore
Madison Macy got her first three appearances of the season in Kentucky and didn't disappoint. She ended up throwing a combined 10 innings of work without allowing an earned run. She made one start during that three-game stretch and allowed eight hits while striking out five batters. Macy was the team's leader in innings pitched last season and is currently the only Cardinals pitcher with an ERA of 0.00. The only runs that she allowed during that tournament came in her only start when she allowed four unearned runs in six innings of work. She started her season out strong and once again looks to be a leader for the team in 2022 in the circle.
On the offensive end, the Cardinals were led by
Taylor Hradek, who hit .352 (6-17) over the five games while driving in three RBI. Half of those hits came in the first game of that Kentucky trip, when He went 3-5 with two RBI in the team's 8-4 win over Cedarville. Hradek has been a force at the top of the Cardinals lineup this season, and gives the Cardinals a reliable hitter to start innings. In the middle of the order,
Gina Fogle and
Brooke Slomkowski have led the way. Each had an RBI in Kentucky and they look to be big run producers for the Cardinals over this week of games. The offense has shown sparks of success this season and looks to continue those stretches during the week.
The Cardinals will take on some tough regional opponents while in Florida, including Ashland University, California University of Pennsylvania, and IUP. They look to keep their record above that .500 mark as they take it one game at a time. They open the weekend with games against Ashland University and Bloomfield College on Monday before facing East Stroudsburg and CAL-U on Tuesday. Then, they have an off-day Wednesday before returning to the field on Thursday against Edinboro and Northwood University. They wrap up the trip on Friday with early morning games against Cedarville and Millersville to round out play.
Day 1 Matchups
Ashland University: The Cardinals and Eagles are meeting for the eighth time in team history, with the Eagles winning each of the seven previous matchups. Wheeling has averaged 1.5 runs per game against the Eagles and scored 11 runs total in the previous seven games. Their last meeting was in 2019 when Wheeling was swept in a double header. The Cardinals fell in the first game 15-4 and came back with a 2-0 loss in game two.
Bloomsfield College: The Cardinals and Bears are meeting for the first time in team history on Mondy night. It will be the second game of the tournament for both teams as they try to end the first day strong.
The details
First Pitch for Game one of the week is scheduled for 11:15 AM followed by Game Two at 1:30 pm in Winterhaven, Florida.
