Melbourne, FL. After playing through the first six games of their annual Spring Training trip, the Wheeling University Softball team (2-10, 0-0) took a well-deserved off day on Wednesday. The Cardinals will return to action on Thursday with two more days of competition, split between an away game and the Space Coast Complex. The Cardinals return to action against Flagler College on the road Thursday, and wrap up the week with a pair of games against Columbus State University and Felician on Friday.
The Cardinals have played six games in three days to start the week, and have had some positives and some negatives. The trip began on Monday with games against Bridgeport and Davenport, with Wheeling splitting the day with a 3-1 loss to Bridgeport and a 7-1 win over Davenport. As the Cardinals came back for day two, it was another split day as the Cardinals fell to Holy Family 6-2 and came back to defeat Roosevelt College by that same score. With one doubleheader looming the Cardinals would take on Saginaw Valley and in-region opponent Walsh. Unfortunately, the Cardinals would drop their final two games of the week, falling to Saginaw Valley 12-2 and Walsh 6-1. Despite the losses, the Cardinals are in the midst of their best spring trip in over three seasons as they look to finish out strong.
Leading the way for the Cardinals during the week has been Amber Morgan in the middle of the Cardinal order. She has a hit in every game so far this season, and is coming off her first multi-hit effort of the tournament. She would go 2-4 against Walsh while driving in the team's lone run of the day to bring her total to six RBI on the season. Morgan is riding the hot hand entering play on Thursday, holding a seven-game hitting streak entering play. She has come through in some of the biggest situations, including accounting for all three runs in game one against Gannon at the Highlands Sports Complex. She has put together three multi-RBI days this season and looks to continue being a run producer in the middle of the lineup for the Cardinals.
In the circle, it has been Freshman Kaylin Shields who has given the Cardinals their spark as of late. She made her season debut against Davenport and threw a complete game, allowing just one run in the effort. She has made two appearances for the Cardinals during the spring trip, giving up a total of five earned runs, and looks to continue her success, At the top of the Cardinal's lineup, Ava Kresak has provided a spark, getting the team started in several innings. She put together her best showing of the season against Saginaw Valley, where she finished 1–2 with a triple and a run scored while driving in a run. The Cardinals have been building their offense this season and Kresak has been a pillar at the top of the lineup.
As the Cardinals prepare for the second half of their spring trip, they are looking to end their time down on Florida strong. They have already surpassed what they have done in each of their last two spring training trips and have the chance to get hot before conference play. Wheeling has two more non-conference doubleheaders in Florida, before coming home for a doubleheader with Walsh on March 12th before they kick-off conference play. Wheeling was picked #4 in the MEC North preseason poll and looks to gain momentum before hitting that conference schedule. Last season, the Cardinals went 3-17 during their 20-game preseason non-conference schedule and need just one more win to match that mark with six games remaining.
The Matchups
Flagler: The Cardinals and Saints are meeting for the first time in program history when they meet on Thursday. Flagler enters the game sitting at 12-6 overall and are coming off a doubleheader sweep at the hands of Nova Southeastern. They have battles three MEC teams this season, going 3-0 against MEC competition.
Columbus State: The Cardinals and Cougars are meeting for the third time in program history with the teams splitting the all-time series at 1-1. Both the previous meetings came at neutral site locations, with the Cardinals averaging 1 run per game. Their last meeting came on February 24th, 2018, when Wheeling fell to the Cougars 2-1. Former Cardinal Heather Pinney led the way, going 2-3 with an RBI on the day.
Felician: The Cardinals and Falcons will meet for the sixth time in program history in Friday, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 3-2. It has been a high scoring series overall with the Cardinals averaging 9.8 runs per game. Their last meeting came on March 3rd, 2020, in a game the Cardinals won 18-5. Former Cardinal Heather Pinney led the way, finishing 4-5 with six RBI and two runs scored.
The Details
First pitch for Thursday's doubleheader against Flagler is scheduled for 3 PM. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
