WHEELING – On Saturday, the Wheeling Jesuit baseball team came from behind in both games of a doubleheader, securing two WVIAC victories over Shepherd University by scores of 9-6 and 7-6.
In game one, Shepherd plated two runs in the first inning without recording a hit, taking a quick 2-0 advantage. The lead-off hitter, Aaron Scoville, was awarded first base after being hit by a pitch, and following a groundout, Nathan Minnich walked. An error by the WJU shortstop loaded the bases, and a pair of walks separated by a strike out sent the two Rams across the plate.
Wheeling Jesuit responded in the bottom half of the inning, capturing a 4-2 lead. Jordan Medley started the rally with a base hit to center field, and Ricky Szeligo walked. With two on, Dominic San Felippo’s RBI ground out plated the first run, and a pair of RBI singles by Mike Ludewig and Jordan Kraus gave the Cardinals a 3-2 advantage. Dustin Philips followed with a single, plating the inning’s final run.
The Rams battled back, recapturing the lead with two runs in the second inning, and the Cardinals tied the game an inning later. In the bottom of the third, Ludewig reached on a single and scored after back-to-back base hits by Robbie Davia and Phillips – Phillips earned his second RBI.
The following inning, Wheeling Jesuit exploded for four runs on four hits, taking a 9-4 advantage. San Felippo, Ludewig, Kraus, and Jason Troy all singled as Ludewig, Kraus and Troy drove in runs – Szeligo scored after being hit by a pitch.
Shepherd’s Andrew Gallant suffered the loss, allowing seven hits and five runs (four earned) in three innings while Wheeling Jesuit’s ace, Ricky Szeligo, earned the hard fought victory.
In five complete innings, Szeligo struck out five, allowing only four hits and five runs total (three earned).
In the nightcap, Wheeling Jesuit struck first, scoring in each of the first two innings. Ryan Vederlic led-off the game with a single and advanced to second on a pitcher’s balk. Szeligo moved Venderlic to third on a groundout and San Felippo’s single through the left side sent him home.
After blasting a triple to lead-off the second inning, Davia plated the Cardinals second run on a RBI groundout to the right side by Steven Buffo.
Shepherd quickly responded, scoring three runs in the third while adding one in the fourth and fifth for a 5-2 advantage. The Cardinals’ bats were silent in the third and fourth innings, but came alive in the bottom of the fifth when Buffo’s led-off double to the right-center gap, and pinch-hitter, Andrew Nemecek’s base hit to center field cut the Ram’s lead to two runs.
The following inning, the Cardinals surged with their second big inning of the day, scoring four runs on three hits. San Felippo started the scoring outburst with a double down the left field line and udewig reached on an error by the Ram’s first baseman. Kraus singled, scoring San Felippo while Ludewig froze at second.
With runners on first and second, a passed ball moved Ludewig and Kraus into scoring position, and Davia walked to load the bases. Next, Buffo’s sacrifice fly to left field scored Ludewig followed by an RBI groundout by Andrew Kozusko. With two outs and Davia on second, Venderlic blasted a triple past the center fielder for a two run advantage, 7-5.
The Rams plated two runs, one in the sixth and one in the seventh, but the Cardinals held on for the doubleheader sweep.
Brenden Gillies earned the 7-6 victory after reliving starting pitcher Tim Giebel. Gillies threw 2 and 2/3 innings allowing two hits and two runs while striking out two. Shane Sullivan picked up the save as he recorded the last two outs.
The Cardinals will look for a series sweep on Sunday, March 27th. The 9-inning contest is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at West Liberty University.
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