Lady Cards Use 20 Hits for Sweep

Wheeling, WV, Apr. 14, 2010---Wheeling Jesuit University softball team used ten hits in each game to sweep a doubleheader from Salem International on Wednesday. The Lady Cardinals scored in the seventh for a 6-5 victory in game one and outscored the opponent 9-2 in the late game. Five Cardinal hitters finished with multiple hit performances as Shaynna Johnson led the way doing it twice.

Johnson collected five hits on the day including a 3-4 effort in the first game followed by a 2-2 performance in the second. She found the gap twice in game one for two doubles and added a leadoff single in the seventh eventually scoring the game winning run. In the night cap, Johnson reached base in all three appearances. She saw four pitches in her first at-bat and followed with two singles, collecting an RBI on each.

In the early game, Gina Hicks and Aleecia Sunagel joined Johnson with multiple hits. Hicks singled in the fourth and swiped second and third but didn’t reach the final destination. She added an RBI single in the sixth, this time, crossing the plate for the Lady Cardinals fifth run.

Sunagel landed on first base with a catcher’s interference in her first attempt and singled in the third inning driving in the Cardinals third run. After Johnson’s single in the seventh, Sunagel blasted a double off the right center field wall to end the game one.

Ashley McSweeney and Angela Petros each recorded extra-base hits for the Lady Cards. McSweeney doubled in left field to leadoff the third inning while Petros used the opposite side for a double in the sixth. McSweeney and Petros both scored.

Heather Hoyt hurled the first six innings of game one, allowing eight hits and five runs as she collected her third win on the season. Olivia Wamsley completed the save opportunity as she entered the circle in the seventh to shut the door.

In game two, the Lady Cardinals crossed the plate in all six innings, scoring two in each of the first three and one in the final three. Jordan Burkhart drove in three runs on sacrifice fly and two hits. In the second inning, Burkhart sent a 3-1 pitch flying over the left field wall and drove in the Cardinals ninth run in the sixth with a single.

Samantha Macioce wrapped up the multi-hit performances with back-to-back singles in the second and third innings. Macioce scored in the second and recorded an RBI in the third.

The Lady Cardinals reached second four times after leaving the batter’s box. Hicks was responsible for the Cardinals first double in the second inning while Brianna Gatley followed in the third with a shot down the right field line. Petros collected her second double of the day in the fifth inning as she scored on a passed ball after stealing third. In the sixth, Wamsley connected with the team’s final double after replacing an injured Shaynna Johnson.

Ashley Nichols fanned four Tigers in a complete game effort. She scattered five hits while only allowing two runs.

The Lady Cardinals will be playing a “StrikeOut Cancer” softball game on Saturday, April 17th, and all proceeds from the game will benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Cards will use their regularly scheduled conference doubleheader against West Virginia State University to help the cause.  Concession stand proceeds, “StrikeOut Cancer” t-shirt sales, and any other donations will be presented to the American Cancer Society after the event.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and will be held at LaRosa Field on the WJU Campus.