Mateo capped off a big week in South Carolina, going 2-for-3 with four RBI and five runs scored. Over the three-game stretch, Mateo finished 7-for-12 (.583) with five RBI and nine runs scored, serving as the table setter at the top of the Cardinal lineup. The one-through-four hitters did damage throughout the day, accounting for 14 of the team's 17 runs while hitting behind Mateo. Designated hitter Luke Meyer was the other Cardinal to reach the four-RBI plateau, finishing 3-for-6 with a double, two runs scored, and four RBI. The first Cardinal home run of the season came courtesy of Chris Alvarez, who finished 2-for-6 with a home run and three RBI. Kalayo Shaw rounded out the strong day at the top of the lineup, finishing 3-for-5 with a triple, three RBI, and two runs scored. The final RBI of the day came from Nicholas Schulz, who finished 2-for-5 with an RBI.
The Cardinal offense got started early as Mateo drew a walk to begin the game. Shaw stepped in next and was hit by a pitch, and Mateo took the opportunity to steal third, putting runners on first and third with nobody out. Meyer then drove in both runners with a two-RBI double—the first of five extra-base hits in the game—giving the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage. Three batters later, with two outs on the scoreboard, Schulz picked up the runner from scoring position with an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0. With early run support, Jacob Rollyson took the mound and responded with a scoreless bottom of the first. However, the Sandsharks answered in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs to tie the game at 3-3. Both teams were held scoreless in the third inning, but the Cardinals retook the lead in the top of the fourth with their biggest outburst of the day.
Noah Gutierrez started the inning with a double, and Nick Chiappetta reached on an error while attempting to lay down a sacrifice bunt. After Chiappetta stole second, Mateo followed with a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Shaw seized the opportunity, bringing home two runs with an RBI single to put the Cardinals back in front, 5-3. It marked the first of three straight RBI hits for the Cardinals, as Meyer followed with an RBI single before Alvarez launched a three-run home run—his first of the season—to give Wheeling a 9-3 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. Rollyson responded with a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning, and the Cardinals kept their foot on the gas in the fifth. Gutierrez again sparked the offense with a single, and a passed ball moved him into scoring position with nobody out.
Chiappetta followed with a walk, and Mateo drove in the 10th Cardinal run with an RBI single. Two batters later, with runners on first and third and one out, a wild pitch allowed Chiappetta to score, extending the lead to 11-3. A two-out error brought home the final run of the inning as Mateo came around, pushing the lead to 12-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth. Rollyson's day came to an end after recording an out and allowing a single in the fifth. Lamont Akins entered in relief, recording one out but allowing four runs to cross the plate. Rollyson's final line read 4.1 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits while walking three and striking out five. Akins lasted a third of an inning, allowing three runs on two hits while walking one batter. Tomoki Jitsukawa recorded the final out of the inning, and the Cardinals answered right back in the top of the sixth.
Schulz walked to start the inning, followed by an error that allowed Griffin Pickhardt to reach and a hit by pitch to Gutierrez that loaded the bases. After a strikeout, Mateo stepped in and cleared the bases with a three-RBI single before advancing to scoring position on an error. The hit increased the Cardinal lead to 15-7 with one out. Shaw then drove him home with an RBI triple, extending the lead to 16-7 with three and a half innings to play. USC Beaufort attempted a comeback, scoring one run in the seventh and four more in the eighth. The Cardinals added a key insurance run in the top of the eighth on an RBI double by Meyer to make it 17-12. Ethan Wells came on in the bottom of the ninth and recorded two quick outs, striking out two of the first three batters he faced. Despite allowing two runners to reach, a lineout ended the threat and secured the series win for Wheeling.
The Wheeling University baseball team returns to action on Saturday, February 14, when they open a three-game series against Virginia State University.
