Wheeling, W.V- The Wheeling University Softball team (3-11), (0-0) are a doubleheader separated from their spring break trip, and they now have the chance to travel again when they head down south to Salem, VA for the MEC/PSAC/CIAA Crossover. Wheeling will take on four non-conference opponents in the span of two days and will look to bring home some more wins.
In their last outing against the Walsh Cavaliers on Tuesday, the middle of the order had a big day, with the Cardinals' three through five hitters combined to go 7-19 with five RBIs across the two games. The Cardinals evenheld the lead at one point in each contest. However, it was the Cavaliers that got the better of the Cardinals, falling 5-3 in game one before dropping the second half of the tilt 8-5.
Mackenzie Burns went 5-7 at the plate across both games, combining for three hits, two doubles, and triple. The freshman also recorded her first collegiate home run in game one against the Cavs when she smacked the ball hard to deep left field on a 2-1 count in the bottom of the third. Burns has been impressive in the early portion of the season as she is batting .487, placing her second in the Mountain East Conference (MEC). The Pinckney, MI native leads the league with a .583 on base percentage, is tied for fifth with five doubles, and is tied for third with nine walks.
KeKe Warrix has been off to a great start too. She is batting .318 and has recorded 14 hits in 44 plate appearances. Her speed is the real story to her game as she sits tied for fourth in the conference with six steals. Additionally, she has been a consistent piece in the Cardinal defense, recording 32 assists that slots her fifth highest in the conference. Brook Sanders, Rayn Casassa, and Priscilla Villarreal are among the other Cardinal hitters who have averages of .285 or higher, meaning they are making the most of their time in the batter's box.
The Matchups
IUP is first on the docket for the Cardinals at 11am. The two met what seemed like not too long ago at "The Highlands Classic", which was the season-opening tournament for Wheeling. The Crimson Hawks lead the all-time series with nine wins against two losses as they picked up the most recent 5-3 victory on February 21st. Despite a first inning double by Burns that brought Warrix across the plate to strike first, the Hawks scored five unanswered runs with three of them coming in the fourth inning. Sanders attempted to spark the comeback in the sixth with a two-RBI double to left field, but it would not be enough.
A few hours later, Wheeling will square off against Cal U at 1pm. The two programs have only met three times, and the Vulcans have won all three meetings. The most recent matchup was back on March 8th, 2022, in Florida when Cal held on to an 8-7 victory.
The Cardinals will face off against Winston-Salem for the first time in program history on Sunday morning and then will make history again when they take on Pitt-Johnstown for the first time as well.
The Details
The Wheeling University Softball team takes on IUP at 11am and Cal U at 1pm on Saturday, March 14th. Then, on Sunday, March 15th, the Cardinals matchup against Winston-Salem at 10am and will close out the crossover action against Pitt-Johnstown at 12pm.
