Elkins, W. Va- The Wheeling University Softball team (8-32), (3-15) had a fantastic day inside the batter's box, racking up 12 runs and 12 hits across the Mountain East Conference (MEC) road doubleheader against Davis & Elkins College. Despite this, the Senators edged out the Cardinals in both contests as Wheeling fell 9-7 in game one and 6-5 in game two.  
 

Game One: D&E- 9 Wheeling- 7 

Madison Kay picked up the first hit of the game with a single out to center field. Kay worked herself around to second after a fielder's choice and then to third following a single by Maria Clark. Clark made a break for second base, so the catcher threw it there in an attempt to get her out. Clark was called safe, and Kay made it home in the process of the throw to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead at the end of their half of the first. D&E went on to bring across two runs on three hits to take a slim 2-1 lead into the second inning. 

Without any scoring in the second, Clark swung the bat for her second hit of the day in the top of the third. Grace Mummery joined her on the base paths after reaching first on an error and then KeKe Warrix loaded the bases with a single hit out to left field. Denise Carrillo stepped into the box, but was awarded a base after being hit by a pitch, which allowed Clark to tie the game at two. Despite leaving three runners on base, the Cardinals stranded two Senators to end the third inning. 

Without any scoring in the top of the fourth by Wheeling, D&E put together a triple followed by a home run to put themselves back in front by a score of 4-2. The fifth inning proved to be productive for both dugouts. Mummery earned a walk and Warrix got another hit that put them both into scoring position. The Senators committed another error that allowed Brook Sanders to reach the first base bag in time, and Mummery made it 4-3 on the same error. The Cardinals tied it at four after Kylea Chapple grounded out to first base to bring home Warrix. However, it did not take long for the Senators to respond in their half of the fifth as they strung together three consecutive hits, two of which went over the fence. By the end of it, D&E now led 7-4. 

The Sens stretched out their lead after bringing in two runs on one hit in the bottom of the sixth, which meant it was crunch time for the Cards. After a leadoff single by Warrix to take first base, she moved to second after an error by the right fielder. Her aggressive baserunning paid off when she stole third base and then scored after a hit by Tasiana Taufahema out to left field. Emili Blackie was put in as a pinch hitter, and she delivered a crushing shot over the back fence for a two-RBI home run to go only trail by two, 9-7. Unfortunately, the Cardinals were unable to tie the game, meaning D&E hung on for the 9-7 win in game one. 

KeKe Warrix led the Cardinal offense, going 3-4 and crossed home plate twice. Maria Clark went 2-4 with a walk while Madison Kay, Tasiana Taufahema, and Emili Blackie recorded one hit. Kaylin Shields pitched 4.1 innings and recorded one strikeout, and Taylor Walsh pitched 1.2 innings.  

Game Two: D&E- 6 Wheeling- 5 

Madison Kay started the game by reaching first base because of an error by the Senators' shortstop. A fielder's choice got her to second, and a passed ball put her on third base. Kay scored the first run of the game after a single hit by Tasiana Taufahema. D&E was able to tie it up at one to end the first inning. 

The Cardinals had a busy second inning, scoring three runs on one hit. It started with Denise Carrillo drawing a walk. Emili Blackie was given a hit after reaching first on a fielder's choice and Carrillo got herself to third base after another throwing error by the shortstop. Marissa Rodriguez worked a six-pitch walk to load the bases, and then Kay cleared them with a three-RBI double to put the Cards ahead by three, 4-1, to end the second. 

The Cardinals continued to apply pressure in the top of the third. Carrillo produced at the plate with a hit into center field. She moved to second base after Blackie was walked and then a hit by Rayn Casassa broughtCarrillo home to put Wheeling ahead 5-2 by the end of inning. However, the game was not over yet. The Senators hit a two-RBI home run in the bottom of the fourth, and after D&E prevented Wheeling from getting a hit for three straight innings, the Sens hit another two-RBI home run to walk it off in the bottom of the seventh for a final score of 6-5 in game two. 

Four different Cardinals recorded a hit in game two, including Madison Kay, Tasiana Taufahema, Denise Carrillo, and Rayn Casassa. Kay led the Cardinals with three RBIs, Maria Clark led the team with two walks, and Carrillo touched all four bases twice. Ryleigh Peters pitched 6.1 innings and recorded two strikeouts. 

The Wheeling University Softball team continues their road trip against West Virginia Wesleyan College tomorrow, April 18th. Game one is scheduled for 1pm and game two is slated for 3pm.