Wheeling, W. Va. - On Friday night, it was a battle of two of the top pitching teams in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) when the Wheeling University Baseball team (32-12, 17-5) battled Point Park at EQT Park. The first two games of the series were as advertised, with the teams splitting the action on a night that saw no team score more than five runs in a game. The teams meet in the final two games of the four-game set on Sunday at EQT Park, with first pitch at 1 PM, as the Cardinals will be looking to secure their sixth straight weekend win with a chance to clinch their MEC Tournament spot with a sweep.
The first game of the weekend would feature each team throwing their ace and, through seven innings, neither team could find the advantage. Point Park jumped out to an early lead, but on two different occasions Wheeling battled back and the game sat tied at 4-4 after seven innings. It would come down to the bottom of the ninth, but a single for Keaton Ference would give Wheeling the 5-4 walk-off win. In game two, it a similar dog fight, with neither team scoring after four innings of work. Point Park would get a two-run home run in the top of the fifth, and it would be that shot that stood as the Cardinals fell 2-0 in game two. It was the second straight weekend that the Cardinals have split the opener of a series, in what was a really well pitched day.
Leading the offense for the Cardinal was Keaton Ference, who came in as a defensive replacement in the top of the seventh and came to the plat in a big spot in the bottom of the ninth. He would step in with the bases loaded and two outs looking for a big clutch hit. He would come through, sending the ball right back through the box as Chris Alvarez scored to give the Cardinals the 5-4 win. It was the second walk-off win for the Cardinals this season, and capped off a 1-2 day at the plate for Ference. It helped raise his season batting average to .302 for the season, making them one of five Cardinals to be hitting .300 or better this season. Leading the charge early for the Cardinals was Chris Alvarez, who had a strong showing as he battled his former team. He would finish the day 2-3 with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored in the effort.
On the pitching side, Mason Fenwick delivered his second straight strong start, working into the seventh inning for the second straight outing. He took the ball in game two and threw 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out six. His only blemish on the day came in the form of the two-run home run in the top of the fifth, as he continued his recent string of success. He has allowed just the two earned runs over his last 12.2 innings, and looks to continue being a solid piece of the Cardinal's rotation. In game one, Tomoki Jitsukawa came in for a big spot after Point Park took a 4-3 lead. He was able to not only limit the damage in the seventh, but keep the game tied after eight. He would throw 1.2 innings, walking two and striking out three as he lowered his season ERA to 2.82.
As they enter the final two games of the four-game set, Wheeling has a chance to officially clinch their playoff berth. Their magic number sits at two after a win in game one, meaning any combination of two Cardinal wins or two West Liberty losses would clinch Wheeling a playoff spot. If West Liberty is swept by Fairmont State on Saturday, the Cardinals will clinch, but a sweep of day two would ensure their spot in postseason play. However, a day two sweep would also help the Cardinals better their chances for claiming the top spot in the MEC North Division. Wheeling currently holds a 1.0 game lead over Frostburg State and, with the Bobcats playing Salem this weekend, the Cardinals have a chance to add to that lead. Two wins would put them up 2.0 games over Frostburg State heading to the final week of conference play.
The Match-up
After splitting the first day of the four-game set, Point Park continues to lead the all-time series over the Cardinals at 6-3. The game one win for the Cardinals broke what was a six-game losing streak to the Pioneers, dating back to the 2010 season. Wheeling is averaging just 3.8 runs per game in the all-time series and, with two more strong pitching match-ups Wheeling will have to battle on day two.
In game one, the Cardinals will send Dom Carlson to the mound, who is looking to bounce back start after taking a loss against Fairmont State. Carlson would give up four earned runs in the complete game effort, while allowing six hits, walking three, and striking out four. Game two's starter is still to be announced as the Cardinals will look to continue their strong pitching performance.
The Details
First pitch for Sunday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1 PM inside EQT Park. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
