Wheeling, W. Va. - It was a big weekend for the Wheeling University Softball team (4-24, 1-5) as they were locked in four tight battles against some of the top teams in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) South Division. On Tuesday, the Cardinls look to keep that competitive spirit alive as they head back to the JB Chambers I-470 Complex for the first meeting of "The Battle for Wheeling" in 2025. The Cardinals will host rival West Liberty one day earlier on Tuesday, with first pitch scheduled for 2 PM.
The Cardinals are coming off a doubleheader against the University of Charleston where they battled against the defending MEC Champions from a season ago. In game one, the Golden Eagles took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning, but the Cardinals responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The game would remain tied at 3-3 until the top of the seventh, when a two-run home run lifted the Golden Eagles to a 5-3 victory. In the second game, the back and forth between the two teams continued, with the two teams going to extra innings with the score sitting at 8-8. Wheeling had the lead early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first, but it was a three-run home run in the top of the eighth that would down the Cardinals. Despite the pair of losses, the team battled hard throughout the day and look to use that momentum moving forward.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was junior Keke Warrix, who capped off what was a big week for the second baseman. Warrix would go 4-7 with a pair of doubles, two RBI, and two runs scored between the two games, helping the Cardinals to score 11 combined runs. In the first game of the day, it was Warrix who was part of the three-run rally in the bottom of the fourth, where she doubled home the Cardinal's second run of the ball game. In game two, it was another Warrix double that would help extend the Cardinal's lead in the bottom of the third as she brought home Maria Clark to give the Cardinals a 6-4 lead. It was an overall strong week for the junior, who finished 9-21 (.428) with four doubles, four runs, scored, and six RBI. She looks to continue being a leader in the top of the lineup as the Cardinals look to rack up wins down the stretch.
In the final game of the weekend, it was Madison Kay who shined for the Cardinals, going 4-4 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Kay, who was hitless in one at-bat against West Virginia State on Friday, took advantage of her opportunity as the team's Designated Player in the finale Saturday. She got her team on the board early courtesy of a two-run home run, and would reach base four times throughout the day. In the circle, it was Kaylin Shields leading the way for the Cardinals, taking the ball in the game one back and forth battle. Shields would get the call in the first game of the day, throwing a complete game while allowing five runs on six hits while walking one and striking out six.
As they head into their second MEC North Doubleheader of the season, the Cardinals are looking to gain ground in the early portions of MEC play. The Cardinals will get a chance to do just that, battling the Hilltoppers, who currently sit atop the MEC North Division Standings. Wheeling sits at 1-5 through six conference games, but are just two games behind Frostburg State to get into that crucial fourth spot. The Cardinals will see Fairmont State and Frostburg Stat later this week, in what has been the biggest week for the Cardinals so far. They look to build off their recent success from the weekend and slowly make their way up the MEC North Division ladder.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Hilltoppers are meeting for the 47th and 48th times in program history on Tuesday, with West Liberty leading the all-time series at 24-22. The Cardinals hold a 10-12 record against the Hilltoppers at the JB Chambers I-470 Complex, compared to a 12-12 record on the road. West Liberty has won four of the last five meetings between the two teams as the Cardinals look to get back in to win column.
The last meeting between the two teams came on April 16th, 2024, in a doubleheader that was split, with the Cardinals winning game one 5-4 before falling 7-1 in game two. Game one was led by Grace Mummery, who finished 2-3 with three RBI including a walk-off single, while Madison Kay added a 2-4 effort with a home run. In game two, Chyla Miller led the way going 1-3 with a run scored and Kay added a 1-2 effort in the game.
The Details
First pitch for Tuesday's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 PM inside the JB Chambers I-470 Complex. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
