Wheeling, W. Va. - After opening against Mountain East Conference (MEC) North Division play last weekend, the Wheeling University Softball team (4-24, 0-6) would get their first taste of South Division play as they hit the road to Charleston, West Virginia. They battled the MEC South Division leaders in the University of Charleston and ended up dropping both halves of doubleheader action. They fell in game one by a 9-1 score in five innings while dropping game two 7-0 to round out the day.
Game One: Charleston 9, Wheeling 1
In the first game of the day, the Cardinals sent their freshman Ryleigh Peters to the circle as she continues to be a workhorse for the Cardinals. She pitched her seventh complete game of the season in the effort as she threw 4.0 innings, allowing nine runs on 10 hits while walking four and striking out two. After allowing seven runs through the first two innings of play, Peters settled things down in the third and worked her way out of a jam. Charleston would get runners on the corners with two outs and Peters was able to get a lineout to end the inning. However, a pair of Golden Eagle runs in the bottom of the fourth inning would enact the mercy rule as the Cardinals had to battle for their lives in the top of the fifth.
The lone Cardinal run of the day came in the top of the first after Kylea Chapple reached on a two-out single. Natalie Stoner would follow with a single of her own and an error would move runners to second and third with two outs. Makie Paxson would keep the hit parade going with a single of her own and Chapple came around to score to make it a 7-1 game. After Charleston made it a 9-1 game in the bottom of the fourth, the Cardinals would have to battle to stay alive as they headed into the top of the fifth. However, a pair of ground outs and a strikeout would end the effort as Wheeling fell 9-1. All three Cardinal hits would come during the third inning as they ran into a strong pitching effort from Charleston's Bianna McCown, who tossed a complete-game shutout.
The offensive effort was led by the trio from the third inning, with Makie Paxson leading the way with a 1-2 day with an RBI. She came through with the big two out hit for her team when they needed it most as she picks up her first RBI since February 26th against Ursuline College. The other two Cardinals who got hits on the day were Kylea Chapple and Natalie Stoner, who each finished 1-2 while Chapple added a run scored to round out the effort.
Game Two: Charleston 7, Wheeling 0
In the second game of the day, the Cardinals offense would one again face a tough adversary as they looked to push across runs. Layla Jelenic would get the start for the Golden Eagles, and threw a perfect game, striking out 10 of the 21 batters she faced. Pitching was the name of the game in the second game and Randi Holder would be in the circle for the Cardinals. She worked a complete game like her counterpart, throwing 6.0 innings of work allowing seven runs, five earned, on six hits while walking two and striking out three batters. It was the long ball that led to Charleston's success on the day, as they hit three home runs in the first game and added four more in game one.
As they look ahead to their second doubleheader of the weekend, the Cardinals are looking for that first MEC win of the season as they go to nearby West Virginia State to round out the weekend play.
The Wheeling University Softball team returns to action on Sunday, March 24th, when they take on West Virginia State with first pitch at noon. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
