Wheeling, W. Va. - For the first time in a month, the Wheeling University Softball team (10-27, 3-19) comes into a game off a win when they took down West Liberty in the second game of their doubleheader. They look to use that momentum as they return home this weekend for a pair of MEC North Doubleheaders when they take on Frostburg State and Fairmont State at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex. They will be honoring their senior class on Sunday as they look to end the year on a high note over these final 10 games as they finish out their MEC North schedule.
Wednesday's game was originally slated as a home contest, but rain made the playing surface at the J.B. Chambers I-470 complex unplayable. So, they flipped the script and headed up the hill to West Liberty to battle their crosstown rivals. After falling in game one 6-2, the Cardinals bounced back and picked up their first win since March 20th when they beat the Hilltoppers 8-0. Four of those eight runs came in the top of the seventh against the Hilltoppers as the hitters and pitchers were both on their A game to finish off the series.
The big milestone moment came in the top of the sixth of game one when Taylor Hradek poked a single into right center field. It might have looked like an ordinary hit in the box score, but it was a milestone moment as she collected the 100th hit of her collegiate career. She finished the day 2-7 between the two games and has been a consistent presence at the top of the Cardinal lineup. Leading the way on the offensive side of the ball for Wheeling was Gina Fogle, who combined to go 4-7 with two runs scored and three RBI. Fogle is also chasing down 100 hits in her collegiate career and enters the weekend 10 hits away from doing so.
In the circle, the Cardinals got one of their best pitching performances of the season courtesy of junior Madison Macy. Macy threw a complete game shutout, scattering three hits over her seven-inning performance. She allowed just one extra base hit on the day and dealt with very little traffic on the basepaths. She moved to 3-3 on the season and has embraced her multiple roles on the team whether it be as a starting pitcher or as a reliever.
With 10 games left in the season, the Cardinals are out of the race for the MEC playoffs but have a chance to play spoiler over the final two weeks of the regular season. Over the final five doubleheaders of the year, the Cardinals will play all four teams remaining that are fighting for the top three spots in the conference. They take on Frostburg State and Fairmont State this weekend, before playing host to West Liberty on Wednesday. They then take on Notre Dame College, who is on the outside looking in on the final Friday of play. It is a chance for the Cardinals to make some noise in the field and end their season on a High Note.
The Matchups
Frostburg State: The Cardinals and Bobcats will be meeting for the seventh time in team history on Saturday, with Wheeling still searching for their first win. They have played four of those six matchups in Maryland and are currently 0-2 when they play at J.B. Chambers. In their most recent meeting this season, the Bobcats won by scores of 7-4 and 12-1 in Frostburg. In that doubleheader, Makie Paxson hit her first collegiate home run and Mia Smallwood added a run in the game.
Fairmont State: Sunday will mark the 32nd all-time matchup between the Cardinals and Falcons with Wheeling going 12-19 in previous meetings with Fairmont State. When the two teams meet at the J.B. Chambers I-470 complex, Wheeling is 5-10 in those games and are looking for their first home win against Fairmont since 2018. They met earlier this season in doubleheader action with the Cardinals falling 11-1 and 6-3. It was a big game for Anna Florczak as she drove in two runs in game one and combined to go 3-6 on the day.
The Details
First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader against Frostburg State is scheduled for noon at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex. To watch the game live click HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
