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READING – Wilkes pitcher Tom Buckler (Plains, Pa./Coughlin) broke a 31-year old school record by winning his ninth game of the season after the Colonels held on to take down Alvernia 3-2. Buckler set the record for most wins in a season and shares the nations lead for victories this year.

Wilkes picked up five hits in the game, four of which were singles to go along with a double by John Florance (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Forks) as it improved to 26-6 overall and 11-2 in Freedom Conference play. The Colonels need just one more league win to clinch the No. 1 seed in the post season tournament.

Three runs in the top of the second inning were enough for Buckler, who held the Crusaders to six hits while striking out five in the win. Four of Wilkes' five hits came in the second starting with Florance's double. He would later move to third on a ground out by Tom Plessl (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland ) before Shane Keister (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West) drove him in with a single. Eric Wetzel (New Berlin, N.J./Mifflinburg) would later reach on a walk, moving Keister to second before Mike McAndrew (Avoca, Pa./Pittston Area) singled in Keister to make it 2-0. Matt Ruch (Dallas, Pa./Holy Redeemer ) would make it 3-0 after driving in Wetzel from third on a sacrifice bunt. Although Ruch registered an RBI in the game, his streak of 20-straight games with a hit was snapped.

Buckler held the Crusaders scoreless until they threatened in the bottom of the sixth after picking up two of their six hits on the day included a two-out, two-run single by Chris Stroudt. Buckler pitched 6.1 innings before Mike Brennan (New Ringgold, Pa./Marian Catholic) pitched an inning and two thirds. Freshman Sean Flecknoe (Wilkes-Barre, PA/G.A.R.) picked up his sixth save of the season where he allowed just one hit in the ninth inning.

The two teams will face each other Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Artillery Park in Kingston.