Wheeling, W. Va. - The 2025 season marked the first time since the 2018 season that the Wheeling University Softball team made it back to the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament. On Thursday, the conference released their annual Softball Preseason poll, as voted on by the conference coaches, and the Cardinals once again find themselves in a position to strike for the postseason for a second year in a row. Wheeling earned the #4 spot in the MEC North Division, earning 23 points in the vote, as they eye continued growth on the diamond throughout the year.
Head Coach Mallory Chapman once again challenged her team in the preseason schedule, and the Cardinals would end up going 3-15 over the 18-game stretch. Wheeling ended the stretch on a high note, splitting with Walsh before opening MEC play with a sweep at the hands of Point Park. The Cardinal's first conference win would come against West Virginia State on March 21st, but by the end of March, the Cardinals sat at 1-9 in MEC play. However, things would take a turn starting with a doubleheader sweep over Frostburg State on March 30th, and the Cardinals began to climb back into the conference race. They would go 6-10 over their next 16 games, and it came down to the final weekend of the season, with the Cardinals needing a win to clinch their spot. They would split with Point Park, earning the #4 seed in the MEC North. They would battle #1 seeded Glenville State to a 1-0 loss, and were eliminated from the tournament with a 2-1 loss to Davis & Elkins to bring their year to an end.
The Cardinal turnaround was fueled by a strong pitching performance in the circle from Kaylin Shields, who came back strong after missing the opening of the year due to injury. Shields would be a workhorse for the Cardinals, throwing 155 innings and pitched in each of Wheeling's postseason games. On the offensive side, it was Amber Morgan and Ava Kresak that led the way as the only two eligible players to hit over .300 on the season. Morgan will miss the season due to injury, but Kresak will look to lead the Cardinal outfield throughout the season. Along with the young experience returning, the Cardinals will also welcome in a class that includes 12 new players, as well as the return of former Cardinal Ryleigh Peters. This new talent looks to add to the experience already here, and push the Cardinals back to playoff contention.
Leading the way in the MEC North Division are the defending divisional champions Fairmont State, receiving nine first place votes and 49 total points. West Liberty would receive two first place votes of their own, to go along with 42 points, while Point Park took the #3 spot with 26 points. In the MEC South, the defending MEC Champions Charleston led the way with six first place votes and 56 total points. Glenville State earned four first place votes, going along with 54 points, while Davis & Elkins added 40 points to round out the top three. The full MEC Softball preseason poll is listed below:
MEC North
1. Fairmont State - (9) 49
2. West Liberty - (2) 42
3. Point Park - 26
4. Wheeling - 23
5. Frostburg State - 20
MEC South
1. Charleston - (6) 56
2. Glenville State - (4) 54
3. Davis & Elkins - 40
4. West Virginia Wesleyan - (1) 30
5. Concord - 27
6. West Virginia State - 18
The Wheeling University Softball team opens their season on Friday, February 20th when they host the University of Indianapolis at the Highlands Sports Complex.
