On Wednesday afternoon, the Wheeling Jesuit baseball team moved one step closer to a goal the have yet to accomplish since the programs inception, qualifying for the WVIAC Championship Tournament. The Cardinals swept a doubleheader from Ohio Valley University by scores of 6-5 and 15-3 to remain in third place of WVIAC’s Northern Division — The top four teams qualify for the WVIAC Baseball Tournament in Beckley, WV.
In game one, OVU’s starting pitcher, Shayne Miller, cruised through the first five innings, denying WJU a hit and only allowing four Cardinals to reach base. The no-hit performance came to an end when Steven Buffo led-off the sixth inning with an infield single which sparked a six run rally on six hits. Ryan Venderlic, who walked the previous two at-bats, laced a single to center field, and Ricky Szeligo followed with a sacrifice bunt.
With runners in scoring position, Dominic San Felippo line drive single plated Buffo and Venderlic, and Mike Ludewig blasted a double which scored San Felippo. Malachi Murphy, pinch hitter, followed with an RBI single, and Robbie Davia blasted a triple to left center gave the Cardinals a 5-2 advantage. Two batters later, Davia scored on a fielder’s choice.
The Fighting Scots scratched out three additional runs, but the Cardinals offensive outburst proved to be too much.
WJU’s starting pitcher, Parker Lang, went six complete innings, scattering three hits without allowing an earned run. Relief pitcher Shane Sullivan finished the game to earn the save.
In game two, The Cardinals pounded out 15 hits resutling in 15 runs with several multi-hit performances. Leading the way were San Felippo and Ludewig with three hits apiece. San Felippo recorded two singles and a double with four RBIs while Ludewig blasted two singles and a triple, collecting three RBIs. Davia followed with two hits, including a three-run homerun to left-center field while Venderlic plated three runs, reaching on an error and two singles. Szeligo, Murphy, Jordan Kraus, Jason Troy, and Tom Charles all added singles.
Tony Acierno, starting pitcher, recieved the win with 4 1/3 innings of work, allowing three runs on four hits.
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