St. Augustine, FL. - The Wheeling University Softball team (2-12, 0-0) took a break from their annual Florida trip on Wednesday, but were back in action at Flagler University on Thursday. The Cardinal bats came alive early, but couldn't find their consistency as they ended up dropping both halves of the doubleheader. They would fall in a close battle in game one 5-3, but couldn't generate any offense in their game two match-up, falling 8-0 to end the day.
Game One: Flagler 5, Wheeling 3
Coming off of an off-day on Wednesday, the Cardinal's offense was able to start strong as Ava Kresak got things going with a lead-off single by Ava Kresak. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position, and Amber Morgan added a single that moved runners to the corners with one out. It would be a pitch in the dirt that brought the runner home as Kresak raced home from third to make it a 1-0 Cardinal lead. It gave Kaylin Shields the lead as she took the circle and she responded with a scoreless bottom of the first. The freshman continued her strong start, throwing up another scoreless inning in the bottom of the second, stranding a runner at third with two outs. In the top of the third, Keke Warrix drew a walk to flip the lineup and the Cardinals were off and running once again.
She would steal second to get into scoring position during the next at-bat, but back-to-back strikeouts would leave he there with two outs. Amber Morgan would pick up her second single of the day to get runners to first and third, and Maria Clark stepped up in a big situation. She would bring the runner home with a groundout to short, and the Cardinals extended their lead to 2-0. However, the Saints would come roaring back in the bottom of the third with a three-spot that flipped the game to 3-2. The game would remain that same score in the top of the fifth with two outs, before Amber Morgan picked up her third hit of the day with a double. Clark would follow with a walk and Brooklyn Sanders tied the game with a two-out RBI single, bringing the score to 3-3.
With a new ball game on their hands, Kaylin Shields came out for the bottom of the fifth, but gave up a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to make it a 5-3 Flagler lead. As they have all season, the Cardinals battled in their final at-bat, with Warrix starting things off with a single. However, she would be thrown out trying to steal second and the final two batters were retired to bring the game to its final score of 5-3. Shields would end up going the distance for the Cardinals, throwing 6.0 innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits while walking five and striking out one.
On the offensive side, the Cardinals were led by Amber Morgan, who was a table setter throughout the day, finishing 3-3 with a double. Wheeling had two RBI as a team throughout the day, with Maria Clark and Brooklyn Sanders each picking up a hit and an RBI. Ava Kresak and KeKe Warrix would pick up the final two hits of the day, with Warrix going 1-2 and Kresak going 1-4 with a run scored. The Cardinals would look to bounce back and get in the win column in game two.
Game Two: Flagler 8, Wheeling 0
In the second game of the day, the Cardinals would send Maria Clark to the hill looking to lead them to victory. However, the Saints offense was potent throughout the day, getting to Clark for four runs over 1.1 innings of work. The junior would allow six hits and strikeout a batter over her 1.1 innings, and gave way to Shields, who made her second appearance of the day. The freshman would be a stopper during that bottom of the second inning and finished out the day for the Cardinals. She would throw 3.0 innings allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out a batter. On the opposite side, the Cardinals ran into a dominant force in the circle, as Jordan Shields threw a two-hit shutout for Flagler.
After being retired 1-2-3 in each of the first three innings, the Cardinals would get their first base runner of the day on a single by Kylea Chapple. A fielder's choice would replace the runner, but the inning would end with the score sitting at 4-0 in favor of Flagler. In the next inning, the Cardinals would get their second base runner of the day, this time courtesy of a Aaliyah Walker single. However, she would also be stranded and the Cardinals trailed 5-0 after four innings of work. It would end up being the final at-bats for the Cardinals, as Flagler put up a two-spot in the bottom of the fifth to enact the eight-run rule and bring the game to its final score of 8-0.
Leading the way for the Cardinals on offense was Kylea Chapple, who got the team's first hit, finishing 1-2 on the day. The Cardinal's other hit would come courtesy of Aaliyah Walker, who finished 1-2 with a single of her own. With one more day remaining on the trip, the Cardinals look to get back in the win column as they return to Space Coast.
The Wheeling University Softball team returns to action on Friday, March 7th, when they wrap up their Space Coast trip against Columbus State at 4:45 PM, followed by Felician at 7:05 PM.
