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WHEELING -- Wheeling Central made the most of the frigid conditions Saturday afternoon on Ben's Field at the J.B. Chambers I-470 Complex.
The Maroon Knights swept a softball twinbill from winless Williamstown. Coach Buck Davidson's charges took the opener, 11-0, in five innings before posting a truncated 17-2 triumph in the nightcap.
Central is now 6-1 on the young season. The lone blemish came at the hands of Steubenville, just some 24 hours prior.
The talented Knights will return to action Monday, hosting two different foes. Monroe Central visits at 5:30 p.m. followed by Magnolia at 7 p.m.
Josie Frizzell was the Maroon catalyst in the opener, starring in the circle and also with the bat. The junior dandy went the distance, allowing just one hit, a fifth-inning single. She fanned 13 and did not issue a walk
Frizzell also fueled the Knights' 10-hit attack with a double, single and three RBI.
Central was retired in order in the first frame. The Maroon bats, however, began to warm up in the second inning, tallying three runs.
Senior ace Brooklyn Edge reached on an error and moved to third on Frizzell's double off the left-centerfield fence. Edge scored on a wild pitch before Jensen Rine plated Frizzell with a single. Standout catcher Ava Hanson capped the frame with an RBI single.
Central broke matters wide open with an eight-run third inning.
Sophomore slugger Maddie Miehle came up big for the hosts with two hits in the frame. She doubled then added a two-run single.
Frizzell produced a two-run single while Erin Maxwell plated Edge on a single.
Edge reached on a single as did Bella Rine, who scored on an error.
Eight different Knights recorded at least one hit on the day.
Inessa Buck had the lone Williamstown hit. Alexis Stephens took the pitching loss for the Yellowjackets. She struck out two and walked four.
"It took us one inning but then the bats come alive," Davidson said. "In the second inning we began to swing the bats better and started running. Everything fell in place at that point.
"Josie was exceptional in the circle. She also did a good job with the bat," he continued. "The season has been going very well. We have a great bunch of girls who work hard every day and get along great."
In the nightcap, Davidson sprinkled several new faces in the lineup.
Olivia Kiaski went the route for the pitching nod. Addison Hughes sparked the winners with a grand slam.