Indiana, PA. – The Wheeling University Softball team's (1-3, 0-0) non-conference schedule rolled on Thursday as the team traveled to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) for doubleheader action. The Cardinal's offense continued their success from the season opener, but the high-powered Crimson Hawk offense was too much as the Cardinals took a sweep. After dropping the opener 12-3, the Cardinals came back with eight runs in game two, but it once again wasn't enough as they fell 19-8.

Game One: IUP 12, Wheeling 3

In both contests, the Cardinals got out to a fast start, but that was especially true in game one. Maddie Munoz would start things out with a double, a groundout from Grace Mummery moved her to third with one out. Cassie Feyh would step in and picked up her runner with an RBI single that put the Cardinals out in front 1-0. Freshman Madison Kay would then step in and started what would be a huge day for her at the plate. She lifted a two-run home run to left center field and the Cardinals were staked to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. After putting together one of the best games of her collegiate career om Sunday, the Cardinals gave the ball back to Tessa Wise in the opener. She was charged with three runs in the top of the first, and as the game moved into the second it was a new contest at 3-3.

However, three more IUP runs in the bottom of the second spelled the end of the day for Wise, as she lasted 1.1 innings allowing six runs, five earned, on four hits, while walking five and striking out one. The Crimson Hawks would add six more runs in the bottom of the third and the Cardinals would continue to battle at the plate. They picked up seven hits as a team on the day and had at least one runner reach base in four of the five innings. In the top of the second, Makie Paxson would reach on a one-point single and in the top of the third it was a double from Feyh. In the top of the fourth, Kelsi Green and Maddie Munoz both singled, but neither would be brought around. The fifth inning was the only inning that the Cardinals did not have a base runner, and they ended up falling 12-3 in five innings.

Two different Cardinals finished with multi-hit games as Maddie Munoz and Cassie Feyh each finished the day 2-3, with Feyh driving in a run. Madison Kay had the big two-run home run in the first inning, homering for the second straight game, and finished 1-3 with that two run blast. Five different Cardinals finished game one with at least one hit and the Cardinals looked to bounce back in game two.

Game Two: IUP 19, Wheeling 8

In game two, the Cardinals would once again take the lead early, and do it in almost the same way. Maddie Munoz singled to start the inning and Jenna Hollerich would then reach on an error to put two on and nobody out. However, Feyh would send a screaming line drive right at the first baseman, who would double up the rubber at second and now there were two outs and a runner at third. That brought Kay to the plate, and she kept her home run streak going with her third home run as the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead. Maria Clark would toe the circle with the lead, but IUP picked up right where they left off, putting up 12 first inning runs as they flipped a 2-0 Cardinal lead to a 12-2 Crimson Hawk advantage after one inning of play.

IUP would add another run in the bottom of the second but, despite the deficit the Cardinals kept fighting. In the top of the third, Munoz would triple to start the inning and was brought in on an RBI single by Jenna Hollerich to make it a 13-3 game. Cassie Feyh would follow with an RBI double that brought Hollerich home and two batters later, Katie Sare lined a pinch hit single that made it a 13-5 affair. Anna Florczak would then follow with a single and a groundout moved runners to second and third with two outs. Priscilla Villarreal would get a pinch hit opportunity, and would take advantage of a Crimson Hawk error. The play would bring two more runs home, and the Cardinals had cut the Crimson Hawks lead to 13-7 heading to the bottom of the third inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, Hollerich would get things started with a double, and another Crimson Hawk error brought home another run. Feyh would reach first on a fielding error and Hollerich would face home to make it a 13-8 game. Unfortunately, that was the final run the Cardinal's scored on the day and a six-run swing in the bottom of the fourth would seal the Cardinal's fate. In the top of the fifth, the Cardinals would get a base runner on a two-out walk by Makie Paxson, but that would be where it ended as the Cardinals fell 19-8 in five innings. The Cardinals move to 1-3 with the doubleheader sweep, but continue to battle each time they get into the box.

Leading the way for the Cardinals in game two was Madison Kay, who finished 2-3 with a home run and two RBI. It was an overall big day for Kay, who would combine to go 3-6 with two home runs and four RBI across the two games, and she has now homered in three straight games. Katie Sare, Jenna Hollerich, and Maddie Munoz each finished with two hit games, while Hollerich and Sare both drove in runs. Cassie Feyh would drive in the final Cardinal run of the day, going 1-3 with a double and an RBI in the effort.

The Wheeling University Softball team returns to action on Tuesday, February 20th, when they hit the road to face Seton Hill at 1 PM.