Washington, PA. - It was opening day for the Wheeling University Baseball team (1-0, 0-0) as they traveled to Wild Things Park for the first of a three-game weekend set on Saturday. They opened the weekend against Lock Haven and saw their offense explode for 12 runs as they took down the Eagles 12-3. After falling behind early, the Cardinals were able to rally for six runs over the last three innings of play as they kick things off with a big in-region win.

Kody McCarley made his Wheeling debut on the mound and was sharp throughout the afternoon, allowing just the two earned runs over the first three innings of play. He allowed one Eagle to reach on a throwing error, but retired the side. In the second, the first Lock Haven batter of the inning would hit a home run, but McCarley was able to control the damage and leave it to just that one run as the Cardinals trailed 1-0 after one and a half innings. Wheeling would reward their starter in the bottom of the second after Spencer Craig doubled to start the inning. Two batters later, Garth Charlton would bring home the first Cardinal's run of the season, making it 1-1  after two innings.

In the top of the third, Lock Haven added another run on a two-out RBI single, but McCarley forced a groundout to end the inning and keep it a 2-1 game. The Cardinals would take their first lead in the bottom of the third as Sammy Kondroik walked to start the inning. Two batters later, Braden Killens would single to put two on and one out. Thomas Keggeris would then give Wheeling their first lead of the day with a two RBI single that made it 3-2 in favor of the Cardinals. Craig would then come up and promptly singled to center. A throwing error would bring home another run and after three it was Wheeling 4, Lock Haven 2. McCarley responded with a 1-2-3 fourth inning to bring the Cardinals back to the plate.

The Cardinals would add another run in the bottom of the fourth on a fielding error and Christian Boyles brought home a run in the bottom of the fifth to stretch Wheeling's lead to 6-2. McCarley finished out what was a strong Cardinals' debut, going 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits while walking five and striking out four. Jared Naida would come on in relief, making his first appearance since the 2021 season and gave up one unearned run over 3.2 innings of work on five hits while not walking a batter. Kyle Dalton would pitch the final inning and threw a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the day. It was a solid showing for the Cardinals pitching staff as they helped keep the Eagles off the board.

With their lead sitting at 6-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Charlton would walk to lead off the inning and a sacrifice bunt moved the runner up to second with one out. Boyles was at it again with his second RBI of the day with an RBI single that made it 7-3. After a Kondroik walk and a Murray groundout moved runners to second and third with no ours. Killens would come through with the kill shot, a two RBI single to make it a 9-3 Cardinals advantage. In the bottom of the eighth, the Cardinals loaded the bases with nobody out, and Kobe Hill singled to bring home two more runs to make it an 11-3 game. Boyles would bring home the final run of the night on a sacrifice fly that brought the game to its 12-3 final score.

Christian Boyles led the way for the Cardinals, going 2-4 with three RBI and was one of three Cardinals with multiple RBI on the day. Braden Killens went 3-5 with two RBI while Kobe Hill and Thomas Keggeris each drove in a pair of RBI of their own. Garth Charlton added a 1-3 mark with an RBI while Spencer Craig added a 2-4 mark on the night. 

The Wheeling University Baseball team returns to action on Saturday, February 19th, when they take on Lake Erie at 11 AM, followed by CAL-U at 3 PM. You can follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE