Heart-Pounding Finale: Wheeling University Softball Battles Hard in Doubleheader Loss to Malone

Wheeling, W. Va. – The Wheeling University Softball team faced Malone at the Highlands Sports Complex on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, the Cardinals struggled in both games, losing 11-0 and 9-1.

Game One: Malone 11, Wheeling 0

Tasiana Taufahema pitched for the Cardinals in the first game. Malone quickly took control, scoring three runs in the first inning. Maria Clark came in to relieve Taufahema, giving her a chance to limit the damage. Clark threw a solid inning, but Malone’s offense added more runs, finishing the game with 11 runs in five innings. Clark pitched the entire game, allowing eight runs, six earned, on 13 hits, with three walks and four strikeouts. Meanwhile, Malone’s Mia Rose kept the Cardinals hitless until the fifth inning.

In their last chance, the Cardinals aimed to avoid a shutout. Taufahema finally broke the no-hitter with a single. They made an effort to rally, but despite loading the bases, they couldn’t score, ending the game without a run.

Game Two: Malone 9, Wheeling 1

In the second game, Kearstin Monday took the mound for Wheeling. She matched Malone’s Allie Weilanu pitch for pitch for the first two innings, and the score remained 0-0. The Cardinals had a few chances but struggled to capitalize on them.

Malone scored first in the third inning, bringing home one run due to a double and an error. Wheeling had opportunities but continued to miss chances. In the fourth inning, Malone exploded for eight runs, pushing the score to 9-0. The Cardinals were determined to stay in the game and finally got on the board in the fifth. Katelyn Kozlowski walked, then Ava Kresak hit a double that scored Kozlowski, making it 9-1, but that was as close as they would get.

Ava Kresak had a strong performance, going 1-3 with a double and an RBI. Amber Morgan was the standout hitter, finishing 2-2 with two singles. Kearstin Monday pitched five innings, allowing nine runs, four earned, on eight hits, with two walks and one strikeout.

The Wheeling University Softball team will return to the field on February 28 against Gannon University. They hope to improve and get their first win of the season.

Source link