Buckhannon, W. VA. - It was back on the road for the Wheeling University Softball team (9-24, 2-16) as they faced off with Mountain East Conference (MEC) South opponent West Virginia Wesleyan. The Cardinals faced tough pitching throughout the afternoon as they suffered the doubleheader sweep in Buckhannon. They were no-hit in game one, falling 7-1, and after a late rally ended up falling in game two 6-3. 

Game One: West Virginia Wesleyan 7, Wheeling 1 

In the opening game of the doubleheader, the Cardinals ran into a stiff pitching performance from the Bobcats Hayley Hudson. Wheeling could not tally a hit against the right-hander but did manage one run in the game coming in the top of the seventh. They were trailing 7-0 heading into the final inning and things didn't look good as Cassie Feyh grounded out to start the inning. However, Taylor Hradek would draw a one out walk to give the Cardinals a base runner. Leah Klockowski would ground out to move Hradek to second before an error allowed her to score and make it a 7-1 game. Unfortunately, things would end there as Natalie Stoner flew out to end the game. 

While West Virginia Wesleyan had the pitching performance of the day, Wheeling also got a solid outing from pitcher Abby Bumbico. Bumbico threw 3.1 innings of work giving up three runs, two earned, on three hits while walking a batter. She allowed single runs in both the second and third innings but limited the number of base runners she had throughout the outing and kept her team in the game. It was Bumbico's second start of the week, after she got the ball in the doubleheader against Glenville State earlier this week. 

After Bumbico, head coach Caressa DeRossett went to her main reliever this season Aubrie Lafferty who finished out the game. Lafferty pitched the final 2.2 innings of the game and gave up four runs, two earned, on four hits while walking two and striking out one. Both Cardinals pitchers had solid outings in the circle, but the Bobcats offense just proved to be too much, and the Cardinals couldn't find a way into the hit column to back them up. 

The lone Cardinal to reach base on the day was Taylor Hradek, who went 0-1 with two walks and a run scored on the day. The Cardinals put the ball in play a good amount during the day, striking out just four times, but they couldn't find their holes. They looked to get the offense going as they moved into the second game of the day. 

Game Two: West Virginia Wesleyan 6, Wheeling 3 

After being no-hit in the first game of the day, the Cardinals were looking to get on the board and generate some more offense in the day's second game. Maidson Macy got the start in the circle for the Cardinals and was touched early for four runs in the first two innings of the game. As the game moved into the fourth, Wheeling still had not registered a hit and the first two batters of the inning were retired. They broke through in the hit column in that top of the fourth when Taylor Hradek singled up the middle to put a one in the hit column. Brooke Slomkowski would quickly get the Cardinals their first run as she hit an RBI double scoring Hradek and making it a 4-1 game after 3.5 innings. 

After a rough start, Macy settled down nicely over the middle part of the game throwing three straight scoreless innings between the third and fifth innings. She managed to keep it at a three-run game while her offense tried to figure out a tough Bobcats pitching staff. They would manage to push a run across in the top of the sixth to make it a two-run game. After a quick out to start the inning Makie Paxson singled with one out to put a runner on. Hradek moved to runner to second on a groundout and Slomkowski came through again with an RBI single to make it a 4-2 game. She would be stranded on base, but the Cardinals were within striking distance. 

However, West Virginia Wesleyan responded with two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 6-2. It would spell the end of the day for Macy as she finished at 5.1 innings while allowing six runs, three earned, on eight hits while walking two. Aubrie Lafferty would get the final two outs of the inning to bring Wheeling back to the bat racks. They were still very much in the game and looking to mount a rally in the top of the seventh. 

They got started with a bang when Alisa Shelt singled to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Lafferty. She would move to third on a wild pitch and Gina Fogle would put the ball in play as Shelt scored on an error to make it a 6-3 game. However, a strikeout and a groundout would end the game and seal the doubleheader sweep. Wheeling continues their road trip in Davis & Elkins on Saturday as they look for a win. 

Brooke Slomkowski led the game two offense going 2-3 with a double and two RBI in the game while Alisa Shelt added a 2-3 effort of her own with a run scored. Gina Fogle drove in Wheeling's final run when she reached on the error rounding out the day for the Cardinals. They also received hits from Makie Paxson and Taylor Hradek in the game as they showed fight throughout. 

The Wheeling University Softball team is back in action on Saturday when they take on Davis & Elkins in doubleheader action beginning at noon. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.