Exciting Weekend Recap: Wheeling University Baseball Earns Hard-Fought Split Against Salem

Salem, W.Va. – With rainy weather expected over the weekend, the Wheeling University Baseball team shifted their last two games of a four-game series to Salem on Monday. The Cardinals managed to salvage one game, splitting the doubleheader with a 6-2 loss in the first match and an 8-3 win in the second. This brought their weekend record to 1-3.

In the first game, the Tigers jumped out to a quick lead. They scored five runs in the first inning, leaving Wheeling trailing early. Despite the shaky start, sophomore pitcher Sebastian Khan turned things around. He settled in, throwing six innings and allowing only one earned run from five hits, complemented by five strikeouts.

The Cardinals did respond. Keaton Ference hit a solo home run, his fourth in the last ten games, which brought the score to 5-1. In the fifth inning, Chris Sauer contributed a run with a single, narrowing the gap to 5-2. However, Wheeling couldn’t capitalize further, and Salem added an insurance run in the seventh, sealing a 6-2 victory for the Tigers.

In the second match, Wheeling was determined to turn things around. Starting pitcher Jaden Wilcox kept the opposition at bay with solid innings. The Cardinals struck first; Brett Johnson initiated a rally with a walk, setting the stage for Ference to drive him in for the opening score. The team continued to build their lead, capitalizing on wild pitches and solid hitting.

Wheeling scored in the bottom of the second and third, making it 4-0 by the end of the third inning. Ference stood out once again, showcasing his impressive form with two hits, including a triple, and two RBIs in this game. The Cardinals maintained command through the sixth, wrapping up the match with a final score of 8-3.

The team’s morale bounced back, with Ference and Josh Rush leading the charge offensively. Ference finished the day with three hits in total, while Rush matched his effort and contributed critical runs. The victory not only gave Wheeling its ninth win of the season but also set a positive tone as they prepare for their next Mountain East Conference (MEC) games.

As teams face challenging conditions like these, player resilience becomes vital. According to a recent survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations, sports participation can enhance mental toughness, which is crucial for athletes facing adversity. With the right mindset, Wheeling University’s baseball players can build on this win as they head into tougher fixtures ahead.

The Cardinals will next face Frostburg State on April 12 at 1 PM, aiming to carry their newfound momentum into the upcoming games.



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