Wheeling, W. Va. - In the early portion of the season, the Wheeling University Softball team (0-4, 0-0) has made their home away from home at the Highlands Sports Complex. On Friday, the team will return to the complex to wrap up a three-doubleheader home stretch against Gannon with first pitch at 4 PM. The Cardinals are looking to get into the win column for the first time this season before they hit the road for their annual spring training trip in Melbourne, Florida during spring break.
The Cardinals last took the field on Tuesday when they hosted Malone University for their first outdoor game of the season. Game one saw a dominant pitching performance from the Pioneers, who had a no-hitter going into the top of the fifth with the eight-run rule in effect. However, the Cardinals would not go down without a fight, picking up two hit in the inning and loading the bases with two outs. However, they were unable to push a run across as they fell 11-0. In game two, the two pitchers went back and forth early, but a seven-run top of the fourth would put in effect the eight run rule. Malone added an insurance run in the top of the fifth and, despite Wheeling getting on the board in the bottom half, it wasn't enough as the Cardinals fell to the Pioneers 9-1.
The Cardinals would receive a spark at the top of the lineup throughout the day courtesy of right fielder Ava Kresak. The freshman would combine to go 2-5 between the two games, while driving in the team's lone run of the day. In game one, Kresak would follow the first hit of the day with a hit of her own as she put runners at first and second with nobody out before the Cardinals eventually loaded the bases. However, her biggest hit of the day would come in game two when she stepped up with a runner on and two outs. Kresak would line a ball to the centerfield wall and brought home teammate Katelyn Kozlowski to account for the only Cardinal run of the day. Through the first four Cardinal games, Kresak has hit .333 (3-9) with a double and a team-high two RBI as she continues to be a leader for the offense.
In game two of the day, the Cardinals had their best pitching performance of the season courtesy of Kearstin Monday. She went pitch-for-pitch with Malone early, allowing just one run in three innings before things got away in the top of the fourth. She would finish giving up nine runs, four earned, on eight hits while walking two and striking out one over 5.0 innings of work. In two appearances this season, Monday has served as a stopper for the Cardinals and looks to continue giving strong efforts on the mound. Rounding out the success for the Cardinals was Amber Morgan, who went 2-2 with a pair of singles in the clean-up spot. Morgan, who hit at the top of the lineup to start the season, leads the team hitting .500 (4-8) with four singles and looks to continue leading through the season.
Friday will mark the final doubleheader of this three-game stretch as the Cardinals look to get in the win column before heading to Florida. The team will play 12 games over the next eight days and are looking to find their groove. Last season, they grabbed an early season win in their first doubleheader, and wouldn't get back in the win column until the end of April. This season, the Cardinals are looking for more success in the early going so that they can set themselves up for success heading into conference play. They will see three in-region opponents during this 12-game stretch as they look to pick up some key wins to set them up for a chance in the postseason come the end of April.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Golden Knights are meeting for the 10th and 11th times in program history on Friday, with Gannon leading the all-time series at 5-4. This will be the second time the two teams have played in Wheeling, with the teams splitting the doubleheader the last time the two teams met. Wheeling has averaged 4.11 runs per game in the all-time series, with the teams renuing a rivalry that has been on hiatus for the last five seasons.
The last meeting between the two teams was on March 2nd, 2020, when the teams met in Winter Haven, Florida in a game the Golden Knights won 11-1. Leading the way for Wheeling was former Cardinal Autumn Oehlstrom, who finished 3-3 with a double and an RBI in the effort. Former Cardinal Madison Macy got the start, going 1.1 allowing three runs on four hits, while former Cardinal Brianna Grimes went 2-3 in the effort.
The Details
First pitch for Friday afternoon's game is scheduled for 4 PM at the Highlands Sports Complex outdoor Turf Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE.
