Wheeling, W.Va - The Wheeling University Softball team (12-29, 5-21) is riding high after capturing two victories against Fairmont State University on Sunday. The team will now travel 23 minutes up the hill to battle their rival, West Liberty University. Wednesday's double header will take place at 3 & 5 PM.
Game one: Wheeling 3, Fairmont State 0
The home doubleheader started hot as Wheeling was able to score two runs in the first inning. Gina Fogle scored first as Taylor Hradek was making her way around the bags. After stealing second base, Hradek then stole home to give the Cardinals the 2-0 lead heading into the second inning.
The final score of the game came from a double to left field by Autumn Oehlstrom, which brought Makie Paxson across home plate. This was Oehlstrom's first of the series and 24th RBI of the season.
Pitching was vital to the victory as the Cardinals threw their fourth shutout of the year. Madison Macy stayed in all seven innings. Macy only allowed four hits and struck out six batters.
Game two: Wheeling 4, Fairmont State 3
In the second game of the evening, Wheeling's bats continued to stay in the flow. Seven different batters were able to get hits, with Broke Webber getting two. In the third inning, Wheeling put up their first score after Fogle reached first base by error and Alisa Shelt came across the plate.
Oehlstrom's big series continued when a homerun was hit in the fourth inning. Not only did Oehlstrom score but also brought another in with her second RBI of the day. The score was now 2-1 Wheeling.
The fifth inning saw Fairmont respond, scoring two runs and taking back the lead 3-2. But the the one-point game would not last long. In the bottom of the inning Wheeling brought two runners' home after Brooke Slomkowski singled to center field. At the end of the fifth the score was 4-3 Wheeling.
Pitching would hold it down for the rest of the ball game as Fairmont State recorded 0 hits in the sixth and seventh innings. Macy, Abby Bumbico and Jamie Anderson were pitched in the second matchup totaling only two strikeouts and only three runs.
As Wheeling enters their final week of the regular season, they are looking to shake up the field in the 2022 MEC playoffs. Of their three remaining doubleheaders, two of those come against teams that are currently in the hunt for a playoff spot. If the Cardinals are able to pick up a few key victories it could shake up the field and change the seedings. It would also go a long way towards giving the Cardinals confidence heading into the offseason as they continue to grow Wheeling Softball into a winning program for years to come.
The Matchup:
The Cardinals next two games will be against their rival, West Liberty University (25-19-1, 9-5-1). The Hilltoppers currently sit second in the Mountain East Conference North Division. Wheeling traditionally has had West Liberty's number as the Cardinals are 20-16 against the Hilltoppers all time.
The last time the two met was April 20, 2022, where the Cardinals were victorious, winning 8-0. Fogle had a big day, hitting a homerun, double and a single. Six different players created hits in the game. Macy had another great pitching performance, only allowing three hits and zero runs.
The Details:
The first pitch for game one of Wednesday's doubleheaders is scheduled for 3 PM at West Liberty University. You can watch live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
