Wheeling, W. Va. – After rains came down over the weekend and postponed Sunday's contest, the Wheeling University Softball team (6-30, 3-9) wraps up their MEC Crossover play. They look to bounce back after a sweep on Saturday as they travel to Glenville State for Doubleheader action with first pitch at 1 PM. The offense had a big showing on Saturday despite the sweep, and the team looks to keep the bats hot heading into Tuesday's game.
On Saturday, the Cardinals kicked off the final crossover weekend when they traveled to Concord. Early on, the Cardinal offense got going, scoring two runs in the top of the second as they jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. However, the Mountain Lion offense would take the lead right back in the bottom of the second with three runs and would score three runs in three consecutive innings. The Cardinals would continue to battle, but in the end would fall by the final score of 12-5. In game two, the Cardinals once again took an early lead, scoring a run in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead. Wheeling would score four runs in the top of the third, holding a 5-1 lead, hit the Mountain Lions we're not done. Concord would score 12 runs in the final three innings, and would enact the eight-run rule as Wheeling fell 13-5.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was Brooklyn Sanders, who finished 5-6 across the two games with a home run and three RBI. Sanders started things out strong with a two-hit game in the opener, including giving Wheeling their first lead of the day in the top of the second. In game two, Sanders showed consistency at the plate, finishing a perfect 3-3 with an RBI. In game two, Sanders would add a double for her second extra base hit of the day as she helped her team get some more early offense going. Sanders has been one of several Cardinals transitioning through the designated player spot, and has been the Cardinal's most productive player at the plate this season. She leads the team with 18 RBI and has one of the team's six home runs on the season as she looks to continue her offensive success.
The other big showing for the Cardinals was Amber Morgan, who finished 3-6 between the two games. It was game two that was her biggest game, where she finished 2-3 with two RBI and two runs scored Modgan was able to get the Cardinals on the board, hitting her second home run of the season. Morgan hit the sixth home run of the season for the Cardinals, and is the team's leading hitter with a . 491 batting average on the season. Morgan has been a constant in the middle of the lineup throughout the season. Pitching has been one of the strong suits for the Cardinals this season and Maria Clark has been leading the effort. Clark put together her best efforts of the season against Concord, throwing 6.1 innings while giving up two runs on five hits while walking five and striking out five.
As they continue on their six-game road trip, the Cardinals are looking to get back in the win column as they head into a home MEC Crossover weekend. The Cardinals currently sit 3-9 in MEC North play and hold the #4 seed in the MEC North Division. However, the Cardinals will need to hit a win streak into the end of the season, with the #5 seed from the MEC South Concord holding a better record than the Cardinals. If this remains until end of the season, the #5 seed will push the Cardinals out of the tournament field. With a full slate of MEC North Doubleheaders still ahead, the Cardinals are looking to string some wins together as they strive for a playoff spot in the MEC Tournament for the first time since 2018
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Pioneers are meeting for the 24th and 25th times in program history, with Glenville State leading the all- time series. When the Cardinals head to Glenville State, they hold a 4-8 record compared to a 7-4 record when the Cardinals are the host school. Wheeling has averaged nearly four runs per game and, despite winning the most recent meeting, the Cardinals have lost six of the last seven matchups dating back to the 2021 season.
Last year, the two teams split the season series, with Glenville State winning game one 3-1 before Wheeling took game two 5-2. In game one, the Cardinals were led by former Cardinal Anna Florczal, who finished 1-3 with a run scored. In game two it was formal Cardinal Natalie Stoner who led the way going 2-4 with an RBI.
The Details
First pitch for Tuesday afternoon's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 PM inside the Sue Morris Complex in Glenville, West Virginia. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
