South Euclid, OH. – Due to rain and cold temperatures over the weekend, the Wheeling University Softball team (4-18, 2-2) played their Mountain East Conference (MEC) opening weekend finale against Notre Dame College on Tuesday. The Cardinals offense combined for 11 runs between the two games, but it wasn't enough as they fell in double header action. Wheeling dropped a close one in game one 7-6 before falling 13-5 in six innings in game two to fall to 2-2 in MEC play.

Game One: Notre Dame College 7, Wheeling 6

The first game of the day would be a wild back and forth contest with the Cardinals jumping out to the early lead. Makie Paxson was hit by a pitch and Maddie Munoz doubled to put runners at second and third with nobody out. After the first out of the inning, Brooke Slomkowski would get her team on the board with an RBI single as the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead. Anna Florczak would follow her up with a bunt single just beyond the circle and Munoz would come home to score, making it a 2-0 Wheeling lead after one. Jamie Anderson got the start for the Cardinals and did not allow a hit through the first two innings of play and the Wheeling lead would remain 2-0 after two.

The Cardinals added on in the top of the third after Jenna Hollerich got on base with a two-out single. Natalie Stoner added a single of her own, setting up runners at first and second for Leah Klockowski. She would come through with the third straight two-out hit, bringing home Hollerich and the Cardinals extended their lead to 3-0. Notre Dame College would get on the board in the bottom of the third, but the Cardinals were staked to a 3-1 lead after three. After neither team could get on the board in fourth, Notre Dame College would take their first lead of the game with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead. It would spell the end of the night for Jamie Anderson, who gave up four runs over 4.1 innings, allowing three hits, walking three, and striking out one.

With the Cardinals down by one, Klockowski got things started with a one out double. Candela Garcia Cabedo then singled to put runners at first and third with one out before a strikeout brought up the second out of the inning. That brought Maddie Munoz to the plate and she delivered with a two RBI triple that put Wheeling back in front 5-4. It was her MEC leading fifth triple of the season and came through when the team needed her. She would come home the very next batter as Kelsi Green singled her home for her first RBI of the day and the Cardinals headed into the bottom of the sixth with the lead back in tack at 6-4. Abby Bumbico, who came on in relief during the bottom of the fifth, threw a scoreless sixth inning and the Cardinals entered the seventh looking for their third straight win.

However, the Falcons had other plans as they scored two runs off Bumbico in the bottom of the seventh and added two more off Tessa Wise to walk away with the 7-5 walk-off win. Maddie Munoz led the way for the Cardinals, finishing 3-4 with another triple and two RBI on the day. Leah Klockowski added a multi-hit day of her own, going 2-4 with an RBI, while Brooke Slomkowski and Anna Florczak each drove in runs on the afternoon. The Cardinals headed into the second game of the day looking for a rebound to earn the split.

Game Two: Notre Dame College 13, Wheeling 5

After suffering the walk-off loss in game one, the Cardinals got right back on their horse in game two, getting on the board in the top of the first. Makie Paxson walked and Maddie Munoz singled to start the inning with runners at first and second. Madison George would pick up the runner from second with an RBI double to give Wheeling a 1-0 lead. The second runner was picked up by the next batter, Brooke Slomkowski, who singled to short to score Munoz and make it a 2-0 Wheeling lead. However, the next three batters were retired and Wheeling led 2-0 after half an inning. The lead wouldn't last long as the Falcons got to Wheeling starting pitcher Randi Holder, scoring four runs in the inning and after one it was 4-2 Notre Dame College.

The Cardinals responded in the top of the second as Leah Klockowski walked to start the inning and advanced on a wild pitch with two outs two batters later. Munoz would step back in with another run scoring opportunity and again came through with an RBI double that scored Klockowski and made it a 4-4 game. However, Notre Dame College added a run in the second and one in the third as they extended their lead to 7-3. Holder would last 2.1 innings allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits while walking three and striking out one. Jenee Brodeur would come on in relief and kept the Flacons off the board in the fourth before they added three in the fifth that made it a 10-3 game.

Wheeling came to the plate in the top of the sixth looking to keep the game alive and Sarah Florczak would get things started with her first collegiate hit. Natalie Stoner would pinch run and, after a flyout for out number one, Candela Garcia Cabedo doubled to move runners to second and third. Munoz came through for her team again with a two RBI single and it made it a 10-5 affair and kept the mercy rule from going into effect. However, Notre Dame College would score three runs in the bottom of the half and that would bring the game to an end as Notre Dame College completed the sweep with a 13-5 win.

Munoz finished what was a huge day by going 3-4 with a double and three RBI in game two. It brought her to a grand total of 6-8 between the two games with a triple, double, and five RBI. Brooke Slomkowski added a 2-3 day with an RBI of her own while Madison George drove in the other run of the day, going 1-4 with a double and an RBI. The Cardinals now look ahead to their MEC Home Opener as they look to bounce back.

The Wheeling University Softball team will be back in action on Saturday, March 25th, when they host the University of Charleston at 1 PM.