Cardinals Dominate Day Two in Charleston, Securing a Weekend Victory – Wheeling University Athletics

Charleston, W. Va. – Wheeling University’s baseball team had an exciting start to their season. After a split against Pitt-Johnstown, they finished strong with a doubleheader sweep. They pulled off a close 5-4 win in the first game and then took command in the second, securing an 11-6 victory.

Game One: Wheeling 5, Pitt-Johnstown 4

In game one, starting pitcher Jaden Wilcox set the tone with a scoreless first inning. The Cardinals gained an early advantage in the bottom half, thanks to Brett Johnson’s single and a timely wild pitch that allowed Nic Ancelet to score, putting Wheeling up 1-0. Pitt-Johnstown quickly replied, scoring two runs in the second inning to take the lead.

But the Cardinals weren’t done. Nicholas Schultz tied it up with a single that brought home Christian Boyles, making it 2-2. Wilcox settled in and kept the score even until the fourth inning when a series of hits, including a double by Ancelet, pushed Wheeling ahead again, 4-2.

Though Wilcox exited the game after giving up the tying runs in the fifth, the Cardinals’ bats came alive again in the sixth. Boyles started with a single, which led to an error that brought him home for the winning run. Relief pitcher Brock Elliott secured the save, ending a thrilling first game for the Cardinals.

The offense saw solid performances, especially from Boyles, who was 2-3 with a double and two runs scored. The team showed promise as they advanced to game two feeling energized.

Game Two: Wheeling 11, Pitt-Johnstown 6

Mason Fenwick took the mound for the second game and delivered a strong performance. After a shaky start with a walk and hit by pitch, he found his rhythm, not allowing any hits and striking out four in four innings. This bounce-back effort was crucial for the team.

The Cardinals struck first when Michael Norton hit a home run to take a 1-0 lead. They continued to build on that with a double from Nicholas Schultz that scored Dylan Maltby, giving Wheeling a 2-0 edge. However, trouble brewed for the Cardinals in the fifth inning when the Mountain Cats scored three runs, putting Wheeling behind 3-2.

Refusing to back down, the Cardinals rallied back in the fifth. After a combination of hits and walks, they regained the lead with Maltby’s two-RBI double. The offense exploded in the sixth with runs piling on thanks to walks and singles, ultimately scoring nine runs in the inning.

Although Pitt-Johnstown fought back, adding three more runs, relief pitcher Zach Dellerman shut them down, securing the win for the Cardinals, 11-6. Norton led the offense again, contributing two hits and three RBIs. Maltby was also pivotal, finishing with two hits and two RBIs.

The Cardinals celebrated their successful weekend, ready to take on Dominican University next. This young season is shaping up to be an exciting one for Wheeling University baseball.

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