WISE - - UVa-Wise lined 25 hits in a doubleheader sweep of Wheeling Jesuit at Stallard Field Monday. The Cavaliers claimed a 14-1 win in the opener behind Brett Yates 5-for-5 showing at the plate and RJ Vanvickle's complete game effort before David Thomas' go-ahead homer in the fifth inning and scoreless relief work from Jimmy Vansodale and Matthew Wilkinson gave the hosts a 6-5 triumph in the finale.

After Vanvickle surrendered a homerun on a 3-0 count to Wheeling Jesuit's (1-11, 0-4 MEC) Hayden Hizer in the top of the first inning, the freshman right-hander settled down and turned in the best start by a UVa-Wise (5-12, 2-2 MEC) hurler this season.

The Fredericksburg, Va. product would retire six consecutive hitters over one stretch as he tossed a complete game three hitter to earn his first collegiate win. Vanvickle's final pitching line read seven innings, three hits, six strikeouts, two walks and one run on 89 pitches as he improved to 1-2 on the year.

While Vanvickle was keeping the Cardinals' offense in check, UVa-Wise was lighting up the scoreboard.

The Cavaliers struck for six runs in the first as Brock Smith belted a three-run homer to left field to cap the scoring in the frame. An inning later, Dawson Cagle planted a pitch over the right field wall for a two-run homer to give UVa-Wise an 8-1 advantage.

From there, the route was on as Matthew Branham doubled home a pair as part of a three-run third inning before Yates singled home two in the fourth before blasting a solo homer to left for the game's final run in the sixth inning.

It was a career game for Yates, the second baseman scored four times and knocked in three as part of his 5-for-5 performance. Branham finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored while Tyler Blaum lined two hits and Smith knocked in three and scored three times in UVa-Wise's highest scoring output of the year.

Vanvickle's complete game efforts would prove to pay even more dividends in game two as the Cavs and Cardinals found themselves in a bullpen game in the middle innings.

As was the case in game one, Wheeling Jesuit jumped out in front 1-0 in the top of the first. Hayden Hizer lined an RBI single to plate Tristan Grimes to stake Leon Favede to an early lead.

The lead was short lived as the Cavs countered with three runs in the home half of the inning. Thomas singled in a pair of runs before a Blaum base hit allowed Branham to scamper home with the inning's third run.

A two-run homer just inside the left field foul pole by Robert Truelove tied the game in the top of the second only to see UVa-Wise respond with a two-run single from Stuart Paz to take a 5-3 lead moving to the top of the third inning.

When Wheeling Jesuit's Logan Schickler deposited a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall to once more tie the game, it appeared a slug fest was underway in Wise.

Vansodale would be summoned out of the bullpen by Cavs' head coach Hank Banner and the freshman turned in the best performance of his young career.

The righty would get out of the third without allowing any more damage before working around an error in the fourth inning by inducing an inning ending 5-4-3 double play.

In the fifth inning, Vansodale would once again work out of a jam as the Rockwood, Tenn. native stranded two to keep the game knotted at 5-5.

In the home half of the inning, Thomas would hit a towering homerun across the walking track in right field to give UVa-Wise the lead back at 6-5.

It would the only run the Cavs' bullpen would need. After recording the first out in the sixth, Vansodale issued a walk and was removed in favor of Wilkinson. The senior would retire the next two men he faced to send the game to the home sixth with UVa-Wise clinging to a one run advantage.

After failing to produce an insurance run, the Cavs sent Wilkinson back to the mound in search of his first save.

Zack Trescott swung at Wilkinson's first pitch of the seventh and hit a sinking line drive to right field only to see Branham lay out and snag the ball for the first out of the inning.

A batter later, Hizer challenged Smith at first base and after fielding the ball, the first baseman fired to a covering Wilkinson for the second out.

The Danville Community College transfer finished the game in style as he struck out Shickler looking on a 3-2 pitch to seal the sweep.

Thomas finished 2-for-3 with three RBI while Timmy Meador lined two hits in game two.

Nick Luciano (0-1) took the loss for the Cardinals despite allowing just one run in three innings of relief work.

UVa-Wise is slated to play King University Wednesday at Stallard Field, weather permitting. For up-to-date information about the baseball program or any of the 13 sports offered by the College, please visit www.uvawisecavs.com