BUCKHANNON — The West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats welcomed the Wheeling University Cardinals to Hank Ellis Field in Buckhannon Sunday, for a conference doubleheader. Wesleyan took one out of two with a 13-2 loss and a 8-7 win to move to 3-1 in the conference.
Wheeling got the jump on the Bobcats in the first game by piling up four runs in the top of the first on a two-run single by Scott Kondroik, a one-run single from Kaleb Scull, and a one-run single from Nicholas Ancelet.
It took Wesleyan until the bottom of the second to put up two runs thanks to a one-run double from Luke Burner and a one-run single from Ryan Drag to make it 4-2.
From there on out, it was an onslaught by the Cardinals as they put up a total of 15 hits to win the first game of the series 13-2.
The losing pitcher was Eli Brogan, and the winning pitcher was Kenny Jinks.
The second game of the doubleheader was a different story for the Bobcats as they were able to jump out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on run-producing singles from Devin Johnson, Cole Shearer, and Thatcher Poteat.
Wesleyan kept Wheeling scoreless until the top of the third with the help of Christian Boyles who hit a sacrifice fly to score Bode Stewart to make it 3-1.
The Cardinals added on to its total with a one-run single from Kondroik in the top of the fifth to make it 3-2.
Wesleyan was quick to answer in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI from Malik Wood to extend the lead to 4-2.
With victory in sight, the Bobcats couldn’t lock it down in the top of the seventh as Wheeling put up five runs on a two-run single from Thomas Kegerreis and a three-run home run from Scull to make it 7-4.
Seemingly, with all hope diminished, the Bobcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with one out and a two-run single from Drag kept Wesleyan’s hopes alive to make it 7-6.
With runners on first and second and one out, Burner smacked a one-run single tying the game at 7-7 and advance Drag to third.
Jack Tilton had a huge at-bat as he walked to load the bases with one out and in miraculous fashion, Grant Shumaker drove a line drive to the right fielder who was unable to make the play and Drag scored to secure the Bobcats an 8-7 walk-off victory.
Alex Hernandez threw five strong innings with only one run allowed, and Austin Mann secured the win in the end.
Wesleyan continues conference play at home against West Liberty University in a double header on Monday, Mar. 25. First pitch is at 1 p.m. and the second game starts at 3:30 p.m.
