Wheeling, W. Va. – After starting their doubleheader on Sunday, the rain fell down at the JB Chambers I-470 Complex as the Wheeling University Softball team took on Frostburg State. The Cardinals would earn a win in game one after leading 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth and will continue their series on Tuesday at the Highlands Sports Complex. Wheeling will be looking for their first Mountain East Conference (MEC) sweep of the season with the single seven-inning game beginning at noon.
Before the rains came on Sunday, the Cardinals and Bobcats played game one of the doubleheader Sunday at the JB Chambers I-470 Complex. The two teams battled back and forth through the first inning of play. In the bottom of the second, the Cardinal offense would explode for four runs, with Ava Kresak delivering the big hit with a two-RBI single that staked the Cardinals to a 4-0 advantage. Frostburg State would get that run back in the top of the third, but Wheeling was right back at it in the bottom of the fourth. Peyton Massey would bring home the run with an RBI single, scoring Aaliyah Walker and giving the Cardinals a 5-1 advantage. Frostburg State would get a home run in the top of the fifth inning, and in the bottom half the Cardinals were able to load the bases with two outs, before the game was called due to rain.
Despite the sloppy conditions, it was another strong start for Kaylin Shields, who finished the complete game effort. Shields would throw 5.0 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits while walking two and striking out five. Shields lowered her season ERA to 4.49 over 85.2 innings of work, as she leads the team in nearly every pitching category. Her ERA has her sitting top 15 in the conference, while sitting fifth in strikeouts and second in the conference in innings pitched this season. Ever since making her debut against Davenport during yheEam's annual Florida trip, Shields has made her impact in the circle and will be a key factor in helping the Cardinals play themselves back into the 2025 MEC Playoff race.
Along with Shield's success in the circle, it has been Ava Kresak leading the way at the top of the lineup. Kresak came up with the big hit in the Cardinal's four run second inning, lining a two run single to left center field to make it a 4-0 game. Kresak has been hitting the ball well throughout the week, finishing 9-14 (.643) with three runs scored and four RBI. Kresak is currently riding a 12-game hitting streak heading into the second game of the doubleheader and looks to continue her success at the plate. The other leader for the Cardinals in game one was Aaliyah Walker, who reached base in all three of her at-bats on the day, finishing 2-2 with a walk and two runs scored. She was a table setter for the Cardinals and picked up her first multi-hit effort since March 22nd.
After picking up their second MEC win of the season, the Cardinals head into the second game of their doubleheader against Frostburg State with a chance to play themselves into the playoffs picture. They currently sit one game back of the Bobcats for the fourth spot in the MEC North Division field. With the top four teams from each division making the tournament, the Cardinals would be setting themselves up for a postseason run. The Cardinal's pitching staff has been keeping the team in games this season, putting up the third lowest ERA in the conference at 5.84 over the team's 30 games. Pitching will continue to be at the center of their success as they try to overcome a slow start and get to the tournament for the first time since the 2018 season.
The Details
First pitch for Tuesday afternoon's 7-inning game is scheduled for noon at The Highlands Sp weorts Complex. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
