Wheeling, W. Va. - Over the last four years, the Wheeling University Softball team (9-37, 4-18) has seen 11 seniors grow both as players and as people going through their program. The Cardinals will celebrate these seniors over the weekend as they take on Frostburg State on Saturday, April 20th, and Fairmont State on Sunday, April 21st. The weekend will kick-off with a special senior day celebration before Saturday's doubleheader with Frostburg State, with festivities beginning around 1:10 PM followed by the game at 2 PM.
Wheeling Softball is coming down the final stretch of the season and has had momentum on their side, splitting five of their previous six doubleheaders. They continued that strong stretch with a split of their doubleheader against West Liberty Tuesday. The first game of the day featured an exciting finish with the Cardinals playing just their second extra inning game of the season. The team entered the bottom of the eighth trailing 4-3, but were able to battle back to pick up a 5-4 walk-off win. It was the first walk-off win of the season for the Cardinals as they continued into game two of the day. However, it would be West Liberty that ended things on a high note, as they took down Wheeling 7-1 in the second game of the day, giving the Cardinals their fifth split in the last six doubleheaders.
Wheeling will look at team leadership on Saturday to help them win this doubleheader. It all starts with Makie Paxson who has had a great final season with one home run and 12 RBIs in 42 games this season. Paxson was a part of one of the most clever plays of the night on a groundball to short. Paxson evaded the tag of the shortstop and acted as though she was out. However, when she touched home plate on her way to the dugout, she would score the game-tying run that made it a 3-3 game. Cassie Feyh has also been a strong point for the Cardinals, producing 21 RBIs and 2 home runs. Feyh is the team's leader in batting average this season, hitting .316 in her 46 games this season.
In the big win in game one, it was a pair of freshman who helped the team pick up the thrilling victory. With the Cardinals down by one and one out in the inning, Madison Kay stepped in and delivered a two strike home run to tie the game. It was Kay's team leading fifth home run of the season as she came through in one of the biggest situations. After a Maria Clark double, freshman Grace Mummery would step up and hit a fly ball to deep center field. It ultimately ended up going over the center fielder's head and allowed Clark to come home from second. Both players have played a big part in the Cardinal's success this season and will use this experience to grow on the field as they prepare to lead the team into the future.
Saturday is going to be a special day for Wheeling Softball as they will be honoring all the seniors that will be graduating when the season is over. The 11 graduating seniors will be honored in a special pregame ceremony beginning at 1:10 PM. These seniors have helped grow the softball program over their four years and will look to go out with a bang in their final four doubleheaders of the regular season. Every senior will be introduced and walk out with family or friends which will be a great way to celebrate them and everything they have done for the team while at Wheeling.
The Matchups
Frostburg State: The Cardinals and Bobcats are meeting for the 15th and 16th times in school history on Saturday, with Frostburg State winning each of the previous 14 meetings between the two teams. It will be the seventh and eighth times the two teams have met in Wheeling, with the Cardinals going 0-6 in the previous six matchups. Wheeling has averaged 2.79 runs per game in the series as they look to get back in the win column. Earlier this season, the Cardinals fell in a close battle, dropping game one 8-7 before falling 3-0 in game two to round out the day.
Fairmont State: The Cardinals and Falcons are meeting for the 40th and 41st time in program history, with Fairmont State Leading the all-time series at 25-14. When they play at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex, Wheeling has gone 7-12 in previous matchups while they have averaged 3.18 runs per game. Earlier this season, the two teams met in Fairmont State, where the Falcons picked up wins of 9-5 and 9-1 to round out the day.
The Details
First pitch for Saturday's opener is scheduled for 2 PM at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex with senior day festivities beginning prior at 1:10 PM. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with live stats by clicking HERE.
