In 2023, the Cardinals would once again break the single-season win record, going 29-22, and earning the #2 seed in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) North Division. They opened the season with the goal of making the NCAA DII tournament and would take on a heavy Atlantic Region schedule to help them separate themselves in the region. They would have a strong non-conference slate, going 9-4 over the first 13 games before they opened MEC play. They went back and forth through their South schedule, going 5-7 before they opened MEC North Division play. They hit their stride, earning at least a split of the four series and headed to the tournament as the #2 seed. After falling in the first round to Concord, they picked up their first MEC Tournament win against West Liberty 5-3. However, their season came to an end in the semifinals as they fell to Charleston, ending their season.
 

As they enter 2024, the Cardinals have a lot of experience coming back on both sides of the ball. On the offense, the Cardinals return six of their nine starters, led by junior Braden Killens. Killens was the Cardinals offensive leader a season ago, finishing with a .354 average, 12 home runs, and 54 RBI. He set the new single season record for both home runs and RBI and looks to once again be a strong bat in the middle of the lineup. The Cardinals also return their spark plug at the top of the lineup in Christian Boyles who was a threat both at the plate and on the base paths. He led the Cardinals with 12 stolen bases on 14 attempts and reached base at a .371 clip. He added to that a .322 average with four home runs and 18 RBI, while carrying an OPS of .871 for the season.
 

On the mound, the Cardinals have plenty of help both in the rotation and in the bullpen. The rotation sees the return of the team's top three starters, led by junior Kody McCarley. He set both the single-season record in innings pitched (74.2) and strikeouts (76) while going 5-4 with a 4.10 ERA. He took the ball in two of the three MEC Tournament games a season ago and recorded the final out of the team's first-ever tournament win. In the bullpen, the Cardinals returns their 2023 closer in sophomore Hunter Dyck. Dyck saw the most work of anyone in the pen a season ago, logging 33.1 innings while pitching to a 2.70 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He was just one save away from the tying the program record with five saves and looks to come back even stronger out of the pen in 2024.
 

As they did last season, the Cardinals once again open the 2024 season with a heavy Atlantic Region schedule. Their first two games will come against CAL-U and they add series with Bluefield State, Clarion, and Glenville State later in the Spring. The team has the same goal as a year ago, to qualify for and make the NCAA Tournament as they build off of last season's success. Along with their veteran presences, the Cardinals also bring in some new arms and bats that are looking to shine in the early season. Wheeling will look to get off to another hot start and win as many weekends as they can early on so they are once again ready to make a long postseason run.
 

The Matchup
 

The Cardinals and Vulcans will be meeting for the 28th time in program history on Monday afternoon, with CAL-U leading the all-time series at 24-3. All three wins for the Cardinals have come on the road and they are looking for their first win against CAL-U since March 1st, 2022 in a series at Wild Things Park. The Cardinals have had offensive success in the series, averaging 2.96 runs per game and the pitching looks to slow down the strong Vulcan offense.
 

The last time these two teams faced off, CAL-U picked up a 15-5 win over the Cardinals at home. Wheeling was led by Spencer Craig, who had a big pinch hit home run, and former Cardinal Garth Charlton, who finished 1-3 with an RBI. Kenny Jinks would get the start for Wheeling and went 3.0 innings allowing eight runs and striking out three.
 

The Details
 

First pitch for Monday's opener of the series is scheduled for 1 PM at Wild Things Park. You can follow along with Live Stats throughout the day by kicking HERE.