Wheeling, W. Va. - While they have hosted three doubleheaders at nearby The Highlands Sports Complex, the Wheeling University Softball team (3-21, 0-2) will open the JB Chambers I-470 Complex this weekend. The Cardinals are set to host a pair of Mountain East Conference (MEC) South teams, taking on West Virginia State on Friday, with first pitch at 4 & 6 PM, and hosting the University of Charleston on Saturday at 1 & 3 PM. The Cardinals look to get into the win column for the first time in MEC play as they get to compete at their home venue for the first time this season.
The Cardinals are coming off a midweek matchup with Slippery Rock, where the Cardinals would fall in both halves of their doubleheader. The Cardinals would battle in game one, taking an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second, but Slippery Rock would grab that lead right back in the bottom half of the inning. Wheeling would fall in a close 5-2 affair and looked for a bounce-back in the nightcap that evening. It would be a wild nine-inning extra-inning affair that saw the Cardinals go ahead 9-2 before Slippery Rock tied the game at 9-9 in the bottom of the seventh. The teams would go back and forth over the final two extra innings and in the end, Slippery Rock would pick up a 15-14 win. The Cardinals moved to 3-21 on the season in the effort and look to get back on track this weekend.
Leading the way for the Cardinals both in the circle and at the plate was Kaylin Shields, who got the start in game one and pitched in relief in game two. At the plate, the freshman combined to go 3-8 with three doubles, four RBI, and a run scored between the two games, with her biggest showing coming in the first game. She would account for both of the Cardinal's runs in that contest, finishing 2-3 with a pair of RBI doubles in the game. She would also get the start in that game for the Cardinals, throwing 6.0 innings allowing five runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out two. She would retake the circle in relief in game two, throwing 0.2 innings of work in the bottom of the ninth and allowed the game-ending hit. Shields has been a boost to the Cardinals on both sides since making her debut in Florida and she looks to continue that success down the stretch.
In the second game of the day, it was Keke Warrix who would shine, finishing 3-4 with two doubles, a run scored, and three RBI in the effort. It was a career-best day for the freshman, who set new career bests win hits (3) doubles (2) and RBI (3) in the effort. It was her third multi-hit game of the season, and she helped the Cardinals build that 9-2 lead early. With the run support, Maria Clark took the circle in that first game and pitched well early on. She would allow just two runs over her first six innings of work, and allowed just two base runners between the third and sixth innings. Clark holds the second lowest ERA among starting pitchers this season, holding a 6.02 ERA, and looks to continue to find her groove in the circle.
With Slippery Rock behind them, the Cardinals jump into the heart of their MEC schedule, with 13 of their remaining 16 doubleheaders being against conference opponents. Each of Wheeling's next 10 doubleheaders will feature conference opponents, including a three doubleheader stretch against MEC North competition beginning next week. Wheeling was picked #4 in the MEC North in the annual MEC Preseason Softball Poll and are looking to return to the MEC Tournament for the first time since the 2018 season. The Cardinals will look to their offense to get going down the stretch as they try and support their strong starting pitching as of late. With the Cardinals getting the chance to take their home field for the first time, they look to build confidence that an power them into April.
The Matchups
West Virginia State: The Cardinals and Yellow Jackets open the weekend on Friday, meeting for the 28th and 29th times in program history. West Virginia State leads the all-time series at 20-7, but when they play in Wheeling the series is tied at six wins a piece. The home team has picked up a sweep in each of the last two seasons, with West Virginia State sweeping last season's doubleheader and Wheeling sweeping the 2023 matchup. Their last meeting came on March 24th, 2024, as West Virginia State picked up wins of 6-0 and 8-0. Former Cardinal Kelsi Green put together the best day at the plate, going 2-2 in game two, while former Cardinal Makie Paxson added a 1-2 effort with a walk in game one.
The University of Charleston: The Cardinals and Golden Eagles are meeting for the 27th and 28th times in program history, with Charleston leading the all-time series at 21-5. The Cardinals have faired better at home, going 3-9 compared to a 2-11 mark on the road, but have dropped each of the last six meetings against Charleston. In last years matchup, the Cardinals would be swept on the road, falling by scores of 7-0 and 9-1. In game one, former Cardinal Makie Paxson led the way, going 1-2 with the lone RBI on the day, while former Cardinal Randi Holder threw 6.0 innings, allowing seven runs, five earned, on six hits while walking two and striking out three in game two.
The Details
First pitch for Friday's weekend opener is scheduled for 4 PM at the JB Chambers I-470 Complex. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
