Wheeling, W.Va. – The Wheeling University Softball team is back from their Spring Training trip in Florida. After a tough start, they are now preparing for their final preseason doubleheader on the road against Walsh on Wednesday at 2 PM. The Cardinals hope to secure a win before diving into Mountain East Conference (MEC) play over the weekend.
During their recent trip to Melbourne, Florida, the Cardinals played ten games and finished with a record of 2-8. They started strong, winning one game in each of their first two doubleheaders. Their first victory came with a 7-1 win over Davenport, followed by a 6-2 win against Roosevelt. However, the team faced some challenges in the later matches, losing to Saginaw Valley and Walsh, bringing their record to 2-4 at one point. After a rest day, they played Flagler College, losing both games in that doubleheader, and concluded their trip with an overall record of 2-8.
One player who stood out was Amber Morgan. Hitting in the three spot, she proved to be a consistent performer, getting at least one hit in seven of eight games. She finished the week with an impressive .529 batting average, accumulating 18 hits in 34 at-bats, along with important stats like four RBIs and eight runs scored. Her best performance came against Felician, where she went 4-4 with two triples and two runs scored. As of now, Morgan leads the MEC with a .540 average and holds the fourth-highest on-base percentage at .680.
On the pitching side, Kaylin Shields made a name for herself with a 5.32 ERA across six appearances, including five starts. She debuted during the spring trip, impressing with a complete game against Davenport, only allowing one run. In total, she has thrown two complete games, walking just seven batters in over 26 innings. Brooklyn Sanders also had a standout performance, contributing five RBIs in a doubleheader, helping the team score nine runs overall. Her success in the designated player role will be key as the Cardinals move forward.
As they head into their final doubleheader before starting MEC play, the Cardinals are looking for momentum. They previously lost to Walsh 6-1 during their spring trip. Despite being picked fourth in the MEC North Division polls, the team aims to make a strong push for a spot in the MEC Tournament after last qualifying back in 2018.
In their upcoming matchup, this will be the 10th and 11th meetings between the Cardinals and Cavaliers, with Walsh currently leading the series 7-2. The Cardinals have struggled on the road in North Canton, Ohio, holding an 0-2 record there but are eager to improve. Last season, the teams split their games, and both have had low-scoring encounters historically, averaging only about 2.78 runs. This will also mark their second meeting of the current season, with Walsh previously winning 6-1 at the Space Coast Complex.
The doubleheader against Walsh is set to begin at 2 PM at the Walsh Softball Complex in North Canton, Ohio. Keep an eye on team updates and live coverage throughout the day.
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