Wheeling, W. Va. – After battling through a chilly and windy night, the Wheeling University Softball team is eager for more favorable weather and to focus on the game they love. Currently sitting at 6-16 overall and 1-1 in conference play, the Cardinals are ready to take on their familiar rival, the West Liberty Hilltoppers.
The Cardinals kicked off their Mountain East Conference (MEC) opener with a commanding 13-4 victory against the Pioneers. They quickly set the pace, netting six runs in the first inning, all thanks to their sharp hitting. However, in the second game, despite a promising start with four runs in the second inning, they fell 9-6 as Point Park rallied with six runs in the seventh inning.
Individual performances stood out during the games. Kaylin Shields was impressive on both sides of the game, finishing 2-3 at the plate, but it was her pitching that truly shined. Across 10.1 innings, she struck out 12 batters, placing her fifth in the MEC rankings with a total of 63 strikeouts this season.
Maria Clark delivered a powerful performance in game one, going 3-4 with six RBIs and crossing home twice. Despite the harsh weather, she remained focused and ready to contribute. Freshman Eden Troxel also had a strong showing, hitting 5-6 over both games, with a perfect 4-4 in the second game. She recorded three runs and an RBI in each game, marking her best outing of the season.
Facing the Rivals
West Liberty is coming into this matchup with a 7-14 record and a 1-1 mark in MEC play. The Hilltoppers recently split a doubleheader against the Pioneers, losing 12-9 in their first game but bouncing back to win 6-5 in the second.
Star outfielder Paytyn Tucker leads the Hilltoppers this season, boasting a batting average of .397, which places her fourth in the conference. On the pitching side, Kadence Pettit has been a solid performer, holding a 3.21 ERA over 48 innings pitched and recording 32 strikeouts.
Historically, West Liberty holds a slight edge over Wheeling with a 27-23 record in all-time matchups. The last time they clashed was on April 9 of last year; Wheeling claimed game one, winning 5-1, while West Liberty took game two, 4-2.
What’s Next?
The Wheeling University Softball team will head to the Hilltopper Softball Complex tomorrow, March 25, for a pair of games against West Liberty. Game one starts at 2 PM, with the second game following at 4 PM. Fans can catch the action live on the Mountain East Digital Network [here](https://hilltoppersports.com/sports/softball/mountaineast.tv/westliberty) and find live statistics [here](https://hilltoppersports.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary).
As they gear up for the rivalry match, both teams will be looking to capitalize on their strengths and improve their standings in the MEC.
