Game 1: Frostburg State 3 - 5 Wheeling
The J.B Chambers I-470 complex was the site of the Wheeling University Softball Team's (10-36) (5-19) penultimate home series of the season today, as they hosted Frostburg State. Wheeling batted well to earn a hard fought win in game one, but unfortunately fell to Frostburg in the second.
Frostburg would get off to a hot start in the first innings, as their first two batters in the rotation both earned walks. Following two stolen bases to put Frostburg runners on second and third, they would hit a sacrifice fly out to earn their first RBI of the game. Another sacrifice fly cam straight away to capitalise on the runner on third base, earning Frostburg their second RBI of the game and 2 in quick succession. A subsequent line out to Madison Kay in third base would end the bleeding for Wheeling and send them in to bat.
Madison Kay earned a walk after being hit by a pitch on her third ball. Following two strikes, Kaylin Shields singled to second base and advanced to second, putting Kay. Wheeling would capitalise on the runner on third soon after, as Mackenzie Burns hit a sacrifice fly out to right field, allowing Kay to score. Wheeling would end the first inning only one behind, with the score 2-1.
It would be an efficient defensive second inning for Wheeling, with them earning fly outs to Grace Mummery at right field and Mikaela Holp at center field, alongside a ground out to Madison Kay at third base to send the inning to the bottom.
The bottom of the inning would see a homer from Denise Carillo, shortly followed by another from Eden Troxel to put the game at 3-2 in Wheeling's favour. Rayn Casassa would earn a walk, however Madison Kay would ground out into a double play to end the inning at 3-2.
Now with a lead at the top of the third, Wheeling would continue their strong defensive work. Despite allowing a walk early on, Kaylin Shields would earn a strike out straight after, before Wheeling ended Frostburg's stint at the plate with a double play from KeKe Warrix on second base to Maria Clark on 1st.
The bottom of the third is where Wheeling would really start to get their eye in at the plate. Maria Clark earned a walk, before Mackenzie Burns hit Wheelings third(!) homer of the game, earning another 2 RBIs. Despite another two walks from Grace Mummery and Denise Carillo, the Cardinals would not earn any more runs in the third, as Eden Troxel ended the inning getting struck out.
It would be more of the same in the 4th for Wheeling defensively, as they again shut Frostburg State out despite having runners on second and third. Mikaela Holp would catch another two fly outs at centre field, to send Wheeling back in to bat. Madison Lay would earn Wheelings only single of the 4th inning, and would get herself on third base following Wheeling's second ground out of the inning. Kay would unfortunately be unable to get home, as Maria Clark grounded out to short stop.
The top of the 5th again saw another shut out for Wheeling, and they had Frostburg right where they wanted them. Mikaela Holp would catch another at centre field, before a ground out to Shields and a pop up to Clark on first base sent the inning to the bottom. Frostburg would make quick work of Wheeling however at the bottom of the 5th, as the inning was over following only 6 Frostburg balls.
With the score at 5-2 in favour of Wheeling at the top of the 6th, Frostburg would need a spark from somewhere quickly in order to get past the Cardinal defence. Wheeling would earn two outs in quick succession courtesy of KeKe Warrix at second base, however Frostburg would make the most of a single to right field and double to centre field to warn their 3rd RBI of the game. Wheeling would limit the damage however, as a fly out to Grace Mummery at right field put Wheeling at the plate again. The bottom of the 6th unfortunately would not be fruitful for Wheeling, as the game was sent into its final innings following only 9 balls from Frostburg.
A late offensive struggle would not bother Wheeling one bit, as they continued to apply pressure defensively and reap the rewards of the three home runs prior. With the score at 5-3, Frostburg had their last chance to get something out of the game. Hopes were high after a single down the centre field line early on, but the Cardinal defence proved too strong for Frostburg in game 1, as Wheeling ended the game with only 10 balls in the final inning.
Mackenzie Burns finished game 1 with 3 RBIs, whilst Eden Troxel and Denise Caroillo both finished woth 1. Kaylin Shields would win the pitching battle, finishing the game with 2 strike outs.
Game 2: Frostburg State 9 - 0 Wheeling
Frostburg State would waste no time getting on the board in Game 2, opening the top of the first with patient at-bats. After they quickly earned a walk and a single to right field, Frostburg drove a ball into center field to bring home the game's first run. Wheeling would limit the damage there, as Madison Kay made the play at third to end the inning and keep the deficit at 1-0.
Wheeling looked to respond in the bottom half, but Frostburg's defense held firm early. Madison Kay and Denise Carrillo both grounded out, before Maria Clark gave the Cardinals a spark with a single to center. That would be all Wheeling could muster in the inning however, as Mackenzie Burns was retired to end the frame.
The second inning saw Wheeling settle in defensively. Clean play across the field, including a fly out secured by Mikaela Holp in center and another routine out in the infield, kept Frostburg off the bases and allowed Wheeling to head back to the plate. KeKe Warrix picked up a single in the bottom half, but again the Cardinals were unable to convert, as Grace Mummery's ball in play resulted in a double play to close the inning.
Frostburg would begin to pull away in the third. After putting runners on, key Frostburg hitters struck again—this time with a three-run home run to center field to extend the lead to 4-0. Following the pitching change to Kaylin Shields, Wheeling managed to settle things down, with Holp tracking another ball in center to prevent further damage.
Wheeling threatened in the bottom of the third, as Rayn Casassa and Mikaela Holp both singled to put two on. However, Frostburg's defense came through in key moments, including a force out at third, before Maria Clark's groundout ended the inning with runners stranded.
The fourth inning proved decisive, as Frostburg's offense continued to capitalize. A string of hits, including RBI efforts from 4 different hitters, pushed the lead out to 8-0 despite Wheeling working to get outs across the diamond. The Cardinals did show some fight in the bottom half, with KeKe Warrix and Grace Mummery both recording singles, but were again unable to bring a run across.
Frostburg added one more in the fifth via a solo home run from to make it 9-0. Wheeling turned to Tasiana Taufahema in the circle, and the Cardinals defense backed her up well—highlighted by infield work that helped close out the inning without further runs.
In the bottom of the fifth, Wheeling searched for a late spark, but Frostburg shut the door. Emili Blackie, Madison Kay, and Denise Carrillo were all retired in order, bringing the game to a close.
Despite the result, there were bright spots for Wheeling. KeKe Warrix led the way offensively with two hits, while Maria Clark, Rayn Casassa, Mikaela Holp, and Grace Mummery each contributed with hits of their own. Defensively, Holp was consistently reliable in center field, making multiple plays to limit extra damage.
The Wheeling University Softball Team will look to take what they can from the win in game one, as they return to action tomorrow, April 26th, as they face Fairmont State at home.
