WHEELING, W.Va. - Point Park completed a comeback in game two with a six-run seventh inning, earning a Mountain East Conference split at Wheeling University on Monday at the Highland Sports Complex.

GAME 1: Wheeling 13, Point Park 4
[W: Shields (2-5), L: Johnson (4-5)]

Point Park came out strong to start the game. After earning a two-out walk, Cam Mann came around to score on a Gianna Welsh double to left field, giving the Pioneers an early 1-0 lead.

That lead didn't last long, as Wheeling responded immediately in the bottom of the first. Ava Kresak singled to right on the first pitch she saw from Julia Johnson, then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Mackenzie Burns followed with a two-run home run to left—her second of the season—putting the Cardinals ahead 2-1.

Later in the inning, Maria Clark reached on a fielder's choice, and Eden Troxel singled to center, moving Clark to second. Kaylin Shields then singled to load the bases. Grace Mummery then delivered a two-run single to left, scoring Troxel and Clark for the 4-1 advantage. Keke Warrix followed with an RBI single, scoring Shields, and Maria Harrison capped the inning with a single to center, bringing home Mummery and giving Wheeling a commanding 6-1 lead after one inning.

In the bottom of the second, Tasiana Taufahema doubled to center and later scored on a Maria Clark single to right, extending the Wheeling lead to 7-1.

After Point Park was held scoreless in the top of the third, the Cardinals struck again with three more runs in the frame - extending its lead to 10-1.

In the top of the fourth, Shania Cope led off with a walk and stole second. Emma Henry followed with a single, and Cope eventually scored on a fielder's choice by Ava Hubble, cutting the deficit to 10-2 and ending Wheeling's scoring run.

Wheeling added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to move ahead 13-2, requiring Point Park to score at least four runs in the top half of the fifth to extend the game into the sixth.

Mann provided a late highlight for Point Park, hitting a two-run home run in the top of the fifth to make the final score in game one 13-4. Mann plated Corrine Wright, who singled earlier in the inning, on her home run.

Kaylin Shields earned the win for Wheeling, pitching a complete five innings. She allowed five hits and four runs while striking out eight. Johnson took the loss for Point Park, going three innings.

GAME 2: Point Park 9, Wheeling 6
[W: Henry (1-4), L: Shields (2-6)]

Game two started with a bang, as Mia Arndt wasted no time launching a home run on the first pitch of the game. Her third of the season gave Point Park an early 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless bottom of the first, the Pioneers added to their lead in the second. Payton Haller doubled to center field, scoring Gia Labrie, who had led off the inning with a walk. Point Park led 2-0 after an inning and a half.

Wheeling responded in the bottom of the second with a rally of its own. Maria Clark walked to start the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Grace Mummery followed with an RBI double to left, scoring Clark. Eden Troxel then doubled to left, bringing home Mummery to tie the game at 2-2. The Cardinals kept the momentum going as Ava Kresak singled to center, scoring Troxel and Priscilla Villarreal to give Wheeling a 4-2 lead after two innings.

Arndt continued her big game in the fourth inning, singling to left to drive in Haller and cut the deficit to 4-3.

Wheeling added to its lead in the fifth and sixth innings. Troxel doubled to left in the fifth and later scored on a Villarreal double to right, making it 5-3. In the sixth, Tasiana Tauahema singled to right, scoring Maria Harrison and extending the lead to 6-3, putting the Cardinals just three outs away from a series sweep.

Point Park had other plans.

The Pioneers erupted in the top of the seventh inning, collecting six runs to complete the comeback. Wright led off with a walk and stole second. Mann followed with an RBI double to center, scoring Wright. Henry then broke out of her slump with an RBI double to center, bringing Mann home.

Cope kept the rally going with an RBI single to left, scoring Henry and advancing to second on the throw, tying the game and putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. Labrie executed a sacrifice bunt to move Cope to third.

During the next at-bat, Haller continued her strong performance with an RBI single to left, scoring Cope, and giving the Pioneers the lead for good. Bella Moudy, running for Haller, later scored on a Kaylee Fabiano double to left. Arndt capped off her outstanding game with another RBI double to left, scoring Fabiano and giving Point Park a 9-6 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.

With a three-run cushion, Henry looked to complete the game. Troxel led off with a single, but Henry settled in. After recording two outs, Harrison drew a walk, bringing the tying run to the plate. Kresak grounded out to end the game, sealing the Pioneers' comeback victory.

Henry earned the win with a complete-game performance, allowing 12 hits and six runs while picking up her first win of the season. Kaylin Shields took the loss in relief, pitching 5 and third innings and allowing seven runs on eight hits while striking out four.

With the split, Point Park improves to 6-11 overall and 2-2 in MEC play. Wheeling moves to 6-16 overall and 1-1 in conference action.

UP NEXT

Point Park travels to take on Salem in a non-conference matchup on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

The Pioneers return home for an MEC-packed weekend, hosting Fairmont State on Saturday and Frostburg State on Sunday. Game one both days will begin at 1:00 p.m.
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