Wheeling, W. Va. – After six years without making a postseason appearance, the Wheeling University Softball team is back in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament in 2025. The Cardinals begin their March towards the first MEC Championship in program history when they kick-off tournament play Wednesday from Salem, Virginia. The team opens the 2025 MEC Tournament against the #1 seed from the MEC South Glenville State with first pitch at 2:30 PM.
The Cardinals clinched their postseason berth with a split of their doubleheader against Point Park on Sunday at the JB Chambers I-470 Complex. It would be an early offensive outburst that got things started, with the Cardinals scoring six runs in the bottom of the first and they never looked back from there. They would score at least one run in every inning and put together five runs in the third to compliment their six-run first. In the end, the Cardinals would pick up a five-inning 13-1 win that officially clinched their spot in the MEC Tournament. In game two, the Cardinals continued to battle and kept things close early at 4-2. However, the Pioneers would pull away late, scoring five in the sixth and two in the seventh as the Cardinals fell 11-3 to earn the split.
Leading the way for the Cardinals throughout the season was Amber Morgan, and she was honored in the yearly postseason honors. She would earn Second Team All-MEC honors after being the Cardinal's leading hitter with a .414 batting average. Along with her consistent hitting, she was also the Cardinal leader in OPS (1.022) and on-base percentage (.566) on the season. It was her contributions in the #2 hole that helped the Caridnals officially clinch their spot, as she went 3-3 with a home run and four RBI. She would get the scoring started with a two-run home run in the top of the first that kick-started her big day. She would drive in two more runs late that helped the Cardinals clinch the win and she looks to continue that success as they head down the tournament stretch.
In the circle, the Cardinals have been relying on pitcher Kaylin Shields and she was in the circle when the Cardinals clinched the spot. She would throw a complete game effort in the playoff clinching game, allowing just one unearned run while striking out seven. It was part of a big week for the freshman that helped her to earn the MEC's Pitcher of the Week award. In total, she would log 14 innings during the week and struck out 19 batters during that span while allowing just three earned runs. Shields will be a constant in the circle throughout the tournament as she sets her team up for a chance to win. The Cardinals have also been getting big contributions both at the plate and in the circle from Maria Clark. Clark would pitch the second game against Poin Park and provided strong relief late.
The 2025 MEC Tournament will be a double elimination tournament, with each team guaranteed two games in the field. The action kicks off on Wednesday with four opening games and continues through Saturday's MEC Championship game. The last time the Cardinals made the MEC Tournament was back in 2018, when current Head Coach Mallory Chapman pitched them all the way to the MEC Championship series. The Cardinals have never won an MEC Championship since joining the conference in the 2013 season, and they look to make history with this young team. They will open their tournament run against the #1 seed from the south Glenville State, and if they win they will play Thursday at 2:30 PM, but if they lose they will be in the noon game. The Cardinals are looking to make their presence known and make a run at the tournament.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Pioneers are meeting for the 29th time in program history on Wednesday, with Glenville State leading the all-time series at 14-11. It will be the second postseason meeting between the two teams, with Glenville State having won that matchup back in 2013. Wheeling is averaging 3.8 runs per game in the all-time series with the Pioneers and are 1-4 in their last five meetings between the two teams.
During the regular season, the Cardinals hit the road to face the Pioneers and fell in both halves of the doubleheader by scores of 5-4 and 1-0. In game one, it was a marquee pitching matchup as the Cardinals fell in a 1-0 loss behind a complete game one run effort from Kaylin Shields. Brooklyn Sanders would lead the way in game two, going 2-3 with three RBI in a 5-4 game two loss.
The Details
First pitch for Wednesday's game is scheduled for 2:30 PM at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, VA. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE
