Morgantown, W. Va. – The Wheeling University Baseball team (21-17, 11-11) made the trip to Morgantown, West Virginia on Saturday as they looked to get back in the win column after a losing weekend against Frostburg State a week ago. They did that and much more as the offense broke out for a combined 24 runs as they swept Fairmont State at Mylan Park. The Cardinals picked up a big 18-7 win in game one, before coming back in game two with a 6-3 win to wrap up the day.

Game One: Wheeling 18, Fairmont State 7

The first game of the day saw both offenses working early and it was Fairmont State who would get on the board first. They put up a five-spot in the bottom of the first inning to take a 5-0 lead and the Cardinals offense would have to go to work. They did just that, getting most of the offense back the very next inning as Nic Ancelet started things with a single. Spencer Craig followed with a single of his own and two batters later a throwing error on a failed pick off attempt would move runners to second and third with one out. Kaleb Scull would step in and doubled home the first run of the game as the Cardinals cut the lead to 5-1. Christian Boyles was up next and followed with a triple that brought home Craig and Scull and a sacrifice fly by Braden Killens would bring home the fourth run of the inning as Wheeling made it a 5-4 game.

Kenny Jinks got the start for the Cardinals and rebounded nicely with a 1-2-3 second inning. Those five first inning runs were the only five runs he allowed on the day, as he settled in throwing up five straight zeros to end his outing. It allowed his offense to go to work, and they would get him the lead back in the top of the fourth inning. A Craig walk would get things started and Thomas Kegerreis followed with a single to put men on first and second with nobody out. Kaleb Scull would try to move the runners over with a sacrifice bunt, but ended up reaching on a single to load the bases before a fielder's choice by Boyles tied the game at five. Aidan Willard would bring the eventual go-ahead run home with an RBI single before Killens deposited his 11th home run of the year over the center field wall, giving the Cardinals a 9-5 lead.

The Cardinals would get their second home run of the day, this time from Scott Kondroik, in the top of the sixth and two batters later, Spencer Craig got in on the party with a solo shot of his own to make it an 11-5 Cardinal advantage. The Cardinals capped off their offensive run in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with a Scull single, Boyles double, and an Aidan Willard walk. Killens would get his fifth RBI of the day on a hit by pitch, and a wild pitch during the next at-bat would bring home another run to make it 13-5 in favor of the Cardinals. Kondroik would walk to load the bases and Dylan Maltby got in on the RBI parade with a single. Ancelet would add an RBI single and a double play from Kegeerreis would net another run to make it 17-5. The final run of the inning came from Willard, who was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it an 18-5 Cardinal advantage.

Jinks would finish up what turned into a strong outing, throwing 6.0 innings allowing five runs in seven hits while striking out five batters. He was able to stay in the zone throughout the evening, not walking a batter and gave his team the chance to come through with the victory. Carson Ashby would take the ball in the final inning, and allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits while walking one and striking out one. However, the Cardinal's offensive explosion was enough to claim the win as they took game one 18-7. 

On offense, the Cardinals were led by Christian Boyles, who finished 2-3 with three RBI and three runs scored to cap off his day. He was responsible for six of the Cardinals 18 runs and has been a steady presence at second base this season. Braden Killens had just one hit on the day, but it was a big one as he hit his 11th home run of the season and drove in five RBI in the winning effort. Spencer Craig and Aidan Willard each added two RBI to round out the day as the Cardinals would look for the sweep in game two.

Game Two: Wheeling 6, Fairmont State 3

After putting up 18 runs in game one, the Cardinal's offense went right back to work in the first inning of game two. Aidan Willard would single to start things off and Braden Killens walked to put two on and nobody out. A wild pitch would advance both runners and with two outs they remained at second and third. Nic Ancelet would come through with a two-out single to bring both runners home and the Cardinals had a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the first. Fairmont State would add a three-spot in the bottom of the first and after one it was a 3-2 Fairmont State advantage. Wes Landis got the ball for the Cardinals in game two and, like his predecessor, after allowing the runs in the first inning he was able to slow things down the rest of the way.

He would end up allowing just those three runs over 4.2 innings of work while walking five and striking out six. He had some traffic on the base paths throughout the day, but was able to work his way out of jams throughout the night. Jagger Iovinelli would be called on to pitch the final 2.1 innings of work, and he continued his strong season, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings while walking two and striking out five. However, the offense for the Cardinals also remained quiet and heading into the top of the seventh, the Falcons held on to their 3-2 advantage. The Cardinals needed a spark and they would get one from Scull, who walked to lead off the inning. A sacrifice bunt would move him to scoring position and a passed ball for him to third with just one out.

Riley Day would be called on to pinch hit, and delivered with a sacrifice fly that tied the game at 3-3. Aidan Willard would then step in and put the Cardinals back out in front with a solo home run and it was a 4-3 lead for the Cardinals They would add some much needed insurance as Braden Killens drew a walk and Scott Kondroik would bring him home with a double. Spencer Craig followed with an RBI single to wrap up the game and give Wheeling the 6-3 win and the sweep of the Falcons. 

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Nic Ancelet, who finished 1-2 with a pair of RBI on the day. Ancelet has played big for the Cardinals down the stretch and looks to continue that success as the season moves on. Aidan Willard added a pair of hits, going 2-4, including a home run and an RBI to round out the day. Riley Day, Spencer Craig, and Scott Kondroik would bring home the final three runs of the day to round out the Cardinal offense.

The Wheeling University Baseball team returns to action today when they take on Fairmont State at 2 and 4:30 PM. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.