Wheeling, W. Va. – The Wheeling University Baseball team (19-16, 9-11) wrapped up their weekend with Frostburg State with a Monday afternoon doubleheader. After dropping the first game of the day 7-5, the Cardinals were able to salvage a game of the weekend four-game set, coming back to beat the Bobcats on game two 3-2. It was the Cardinal's ninth MEC win of the season as they maintained their standing in the top three of the MEC North Division.

Game One: Frostburg State 7, Wheeling 5

In the first game of the day, the Cardinal's offense was looking to break out of the funk they had been in during the first row games Sunday. Nick Martinez got the start for the Cardinals and, after allowing two runs in the top of the second, held the Bobcats at bay for the rest of the evening. He would throw up four straight zeros from the second to the sixth inning, before giving way to Sebastian Khan in the top of the sixth for the final out. Martinez would throw 5.2 innings of work giving up two runs, one earned, on seven hits while walking two and striking out eight. Khan would do his job getting the final out of the inning, getting a big strikeout to keep it tied at 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth.

While Martinez was throwing up zeros, the offense went to work and was able to get back even with the Bobcats. The two Cardinal runs would come in the bottom of the fourth after Braden Killens lined the second pitch he saw down the left field line for a double. Scott Kondroik would step up and just narrowly missed duplicating the effort with a foul ball over the third base bag. However, he came back and after fouling off another pitch sent a two-run shot over the left center field wall that tied the game at 2-2 after four innings. Kondroik would be at it again in the top of the sixth, this time taking a home run away as he reached his glove over the left field wall to rob Logan Helser and kept it a 2-2 game. The Cardinals would reward his defensive efforts, taking their first lead of the day in the bottom half of the inning. 

The inning would begin with a single from Aidan Willard before Braden Killens walked and Kondroik would single to load the bases. Two batters later, Dylan Maltby stepped in and was able to work a bases loaded walk to give the Cardinals their first lead of the day at 3-2. A pinch hit sacrifice fly by Riley Day would bring home a second run for the Cardinals and they headed into the top of the seventh with a 4-2 lead. However, Frostburg State would put a five spot on the Cardinals and they came back to the bat racks in the bottom of the 7th down 7-4. The Cardinals would load the bases with nobody out and A Braden Killens walk brought the fifth run of the day home. However, a lineout double play would get the first two outs of the inning and the Cardinals would end up falling by the final score of 7-5.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Scott Kondroik, who finished 2-4 with a home run and a pair of RBI in the game. Kondroik hit his first home run since March 30th and he provided a big boost for his team throughout the night. Thomas Kegerreis and Aidan Willard would each turn in multi-hit games on the night, while Dylan Maltby, Riley Day, and Braden Killens each added RBI.

Game Two: Wheeling 3, Frostburg State 2

The second game would turn out to be one of the biggest pitching duels of the series as Jack Ray battled Kody McCarley. Both pitchers controlled the first three innings, with Ray setting down the nine of the first 10 batters he faced while McCarley spread around five singles and was able to keep Frostburg State off the scoreboard. The score remained 0-0 heading into the fourth inning and that is where both offenses would get going. It would be a solo home run by Ryan Bouma that got the day started for the Bobcats as he took the third pitch of the inning over the left center field wall. After allowing a double And a single to put runners at the corners, McCarley was able to work his way out of trouble and keep it a 1-0 Frostburg State lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.

After the first out of the inning was recorded, Braden Killens and Scott Kondroik would draw back-to-back walks with one out. Nic Ancelet would follow with an infield single to load the bases with one out, bringing Spencer Craig to the plate. Craig came through on a 3-2 pitch, finding the gap in right center field to bring home Killens and Kondroik and give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead. Thomas Kegerreis would step in and grounded out to bring home the third run of the inning and the Cardinals were staked to a 3-1 lead after four innings. Frostburg State would respond with a run of their own in the top of the fifth, and cut the Cardinal lead to 3-2 after five innings of play. However, McCarley would rare back over the final two innings of work, putting up zeros in each of the final two innings.

He would toss a 1-2-3 top of the sixth and entered the seventh inning with a chance to complete the win. He got into a little bit of a jam in the seventh as he allowed two runners to reach and move to scoring position with two outs. However, he was able to work his way out of the jam, finishing the complete game effort as the Cardinals picked up the 3-2 win. McCarley would toss 7.0 innings of two run ball, allowing 11 hits while walking one intentionally as striking out 12 batters on the day. The 12 strikeouts set a new season best for McCarley, and fell one shy of his career high of 13, which he set last season on March 4th against Carolina University.

Spencer Craig led the way for the Cardinals, finishing 1-3 with a double and two RBI on the day. His double would end up making the difference for the Cardinals as they were able to salvage a game in the series. Nic Ancelet would add a 2-3 day at the plate while Aidan Willard picked up the final Cardinal hit of the day.

The Wheeling University Baseball team returns to action on Tuesday, April 16th, when they hit the road to face Walsh at 3:30 PM. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.