Wheeling, W. Va. - After playing their opening weekend of Mountain East Conference (MEC) baseball, the Wheeling University Baseball team returns to non-conference play to start the new week. The Cardinals will head to nearby Wild Things Park to take on California University of Pennsylvania in non-conference action, with first pitch at 2 PM. The Cardinals will look to play their way back into the win column ahead of their home opener this weekend at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex.
The Cardinals wrapped up their opening weekend of MEC play on Saturday when they played two in Institute, West Virginia against West Virginia State. The first game saw the Cardinal's offense light up the scoreboard early, scoring 10 runs in the top of the second to build a 10-0 advantage. The offense would keep their foot on the pedal throughout the day, getting to the 15-run mark as they picked up their first conference win with a 15-2 victory. Game two would see the Cardinals threaten for a sweep, taking a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh with two outs. However, a two-out error would be the downfall of the Cardinals as West Virginia State scored three to tie the game. The Cardinals would get back out in front with a run in the top of the eighth, but two more Yellow Jacket runs in the bottom half of the inning would seal the deal on a 5-4 defeat that moved the Cardinals to 1-3 across the four-game weekend set.
Despite the loss, it would be a breakout day at the plate for junior Cade Lacy, who finished a combined 3-6 at the plate with two doubles, two runs scored, two walks and four RBI. His big game came in the first game of the day, when he finished 3-4 with both double, all four RBI, and one of his two walks on the day. Both big hits came during the 10-run top of the second, when he came to the plate twice in the inning with the bases loaded. Both times, he would come through big for the Cardinals, driving home two runs with an RBI double. He would reach base one additional time in game two, but finished 0-2 at the plate. It raised his season average to .214 and accounted for his first two doubles and first four RBI of the season. He looks to continue to be a big part of the Cardinal offense as they move forward through conference play.
On the mound, the Cardinals got their best performance of the week courtesy of Wes Landis in that same game. After getting the early run support, Landis was able to continue to roll, throwing 6.0 innings allowing two runs on three hits while walking four and striking out five. Landis lowered his season ERA to 4.58 to lead the starter group and will be relied on as a top arm down the stretch. In the second game, it was Spencer Craig that led the way for the Cardinals, going 2-3 with an RBI in the effort. Craig would drive in the key insurance run in the top of the seventh with an RBI single that gave Wheeling a 3-0 lead. Craig looks to continue to be a strong bat in the middle of the Cardinal lineup as they continue through their 2025 schedule.
In their return to midweek action this week, the Cardinals are looking to get back on track against in-region opponents. They haven't won a weekend since the opening four-game set against Pitt-Johnstown and look to get back into the win column heading into their home opener. All 14 of their games this season have come against Atlantic Regional opponents and the Cardinals are 6-8 in those games, including a 5-5 mark against non-conference opponents. It will be the sixth time the Cardinals take on a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent this season, and they are 3-2 in the first five games. The Cardinals look to continue their above .500 play as they begin a grueling schedule of mid-week games.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Vulcans are meeting for the 31st time in program history, with CAL-U leading the all-time series at 27-3. All three Cardinal wins have come in road games against the Vulcans, but the Cardinals are looking to snap a seven-game losing streak at the hands of the Vulcans dating back to 2021. The Cardinals have averaged nearly three runs per game in the all-time series and are looking to get back in the win column.
Their last meeting came on April 10th, 2024, in a game that the Vulcans won 11-1. The Cardinals were led by Christian Boyles, who finished 1-2 with an RBI in the effort. Nicolas Ancelet added a 1-2 day, scoring the lone Cardinal run, while Ethan Wendell threw 1.2 scoreless innings in relief in the loss.
The Details
First pitch for Tuesday's game is scheduled for 2 PM at Wild Things Park. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
