Wheeling, W. Va. – On Wednesday evening, the Wheeling University Softball team opened up the I-470 complex with a doubleheader against Ohio Dominican. With rain set to roll through West Virginia this Saturday, the weather has forced Wheeling back to the I-470 Complex for their Mountain East Conference (MEC) opener on Thursday, March 16th. The doubleheader originally scheduled for Saturday at Alderson Broaddus has now been moved to the J.B. Chambers I-470 complex on Thursday with first pitch at 2 PM.

The Cardinals earned their second doubleheader split of the season on Wednesday, falling to Ohio Dominican 1-0 in game one before bouncing back for a 10-9 win in game two. The first game was dominated by pitching with both starters throwing gems. However, it was the Panther's offense that got the big hit as they came away with a 1-0 victory. Game two was a much different ball game, with the teams combining for 19 runs over the seven-inning game. Wheeling built their biggest lead of the season early, going up 7-2 after five innuntsAnd had to hold on late. They were able to do just that as they came away with a 10-9 win that earned them their second win of the season to improve to 2-16 on the year.

Leah Klockowski led the way, going 2-3 with three RBI in the second game of the day. It was a career-high three RBI day for the Junior as she has taken on a more full-time role with the team at first base this season. It was Klockowski's second multi-hit game of the season and it raised her batting average to .269 for the season. It was also her first three RBI of the season as she came through in a big way for her team. Jenna Hollerich also had a career day, driving in three RBI and going 2-3 as well in that second game of the doubleheader. Hollerich has made her presence known as the team's starting shortstop this season, hitting .298 through her first 18 games. It was also a career-high night in terms of RBI for the freshman as she continues to be a big piece to this lineup.

In game one, it was pitching that reigned supreme as Randi Holder, Maria Clark, and Abby Bumbico held the Ohio Dominican lineup to just one hit. Holder started the game for the Cardinals, and threw 3.0 scoreless innings of one hit ball to keep a well-balanced Ohio Dominican lineup on it's toes. Maria Clark then came in and allowed just one run over two innings of work while Bumbico finished things out with two scoreless innings of her own. It was Holder's best start of her career, as she was untouchable the first time through the lineup. She has the second lowest ERA on the team, sitting at 7.33 this season and, along with fellow pitcher Jamie Anderson, serves as the go to 1-2 punch for Head Coach Sara Pelegreen.

As the Cardinals get ready to embark on their MEC schedule, it is a chance for Wheeling to turn around their season. The Cardinals have played hard in their first 18 games, but don't have their record quite where they would like. Conference play offers a new opportunity as they try to climb the ladder in the MEC North standings and compete for one of the top four spots in the division. Wheeling was picked #5 in the North in the annual MEC preseason Poll and would have to jump one spot higher to secure a place in this year's tournament. With the team picked directly below and directly above of them set for this coming week, the Cardinals look to start things strong.

The Matchup

The Cardinals and Battlers will be meeting for the 13th and 14th times in program history when they meet on Thursday. Wheeling leads the all-time series, with a record of 8-4, having identical 4-2 records both at home and on the road. However, Wheeling is looking to turn things around in the all-time matchup, having lost three of the four games between the two teams last season. 

In their most recent meeting, Alderson Broaddus would sweep the season-ending doubleheader, winning by scores of 8-5 and 7-2. Former Cardinal Gina Fogle drove in the lone RBI of the day for the Cardinals in game one, going 1-3, while game two saw former Cardinal Autumn Oehlstrom put together a 2-3 effort with four RBI in the game.

The Details

First pitch for Thursday's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 PM at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.