Bridgeport, W. Va. – After having their doubleheader moved earlier in the week due to inclement weather, the Wheeling University Softball team (0-4, 0-0) met Salem University on Wednesday. The day didn't go as the Cardinals planned, as they fell in both games to close out their opening week of action. Game one was a back and forth affair that saw the Cardinals fall 4-2, while game two was a pitchers duel that went to Salem 1-0.

Game One: Salem 4, Wheeling 2

After an impressive outing in her season debut, junior Jamie Anderson once again took the circle in game one against Salem. After allowing a leadoff double in the bottom of the first, Anderson worked her way out of the jam and brought her team to the plate in the top of the second. Kelsi Green would begin the inning with a walk and stole second to out a runner in scoring position. Two batters later, Jenna Hollerich would step in and drive in her first collegiate RBI with a single that gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. However, in the bottom of the second, Salem would add four runs of their own and led 4-1 after two innings. An error got the run started and only one of those four runs against Anderson would be earned.

After that second inning, Anderson cruised through the rest of her outing, allowing just three hits over the final five innings. She would strike out two batters during that five inning stretch, and was efficient in the strike zone by not allowing a walk. At the end of the day, Anderson would go the complete six inning game, allowing four runs, one earned, on six hits while walking five and striking out three. It was the second straight outing where Anderson allowed just one earned run this season, but she drops to 0-2 on the year. The Cardinals would add one more run in the top of the fourth, when Jenee Brodeur started things with a single. Avonikah Salas would punch run and got into scoring position on a Green groundout. She would come home when Anna Florczak singled to center and scored Salas to bring it to 4-2.

The Cardinals were led on offense by Jenna Hollerich and Anna Florczak, who each finished the day going 1-3 with an RBI each. Natalie Stoner was the lone batter with multiple hits, going 2-3, while Jenee Brodeur and Madison George each went 1-3 on the day.

Game Two: Salem 1, Wheeling 0

While pitching was strong in game one, it was even stronger in game two as both the Cardinals and Tigers brought their A games in the circle. Tessa Wise got the start for the Cardinals and allowed just one run over 6.0 innings of work. She began her day by facing four batters in the first with the only runner coming on a leadoff single. She also allowed a leadoff single in the second, but once again got through without allowing a run. However, the Tigers broke through for their only run of the game in the third inning on an RBI single and took a 1-0 lead. After that third inning, Wise did not allow a hit the rest of the game as she finished out the effort. Her final line was 6.0 innings allowing one run on five hits while walking one and striking out seven.
The Cardinals would outhit Salem 7-5 in the game, but just couldn't come through with the big hit when they needed it most.

In each of the final three innings the Cardinals got at least one runner into scoring position, but weren't able to bring home the run. The Cardinals had two multi-hit efforts on the day as Makie Paxson and Kelsi Green each finishing with two hits on the day. Natalie Stoner, Mia Smallwood, and Maria Clark each finished with one hit on the day. The Cardinals continue to try and find their groove as they continue through non-conference play.

The Wheeling University Softball team returns to action on Friday, February 24th, when they head to Glenville State to take on IUP with first pitch at 1 PM.