Box Score
The Wilkes University baseball team had its first home game of the season on Tuesday, hosting non-conference opponent Marywood at Artillery Park on a sunny afternoon. After a long game full of hits and walks, the Colonels took advantage of Pacer mistakes, winning 16-8.
Wilkes came into the game with a 2-3 record, while the Pacers had a 2-6 mark before the contest began.
In the top of the first the Colonels surrendered two runs but only one hit, as early troubles on the mound gave the Pacers an early edge. Wilkes was unable to answer in the bottom of the frame despite loading the bases, and after one Marywood held a 2-0 lead.
The Pacers added on another run in the third, but Wilkes answered in the fourth, as
Randy Dengler (Ashland, Pa./Tri-Valley ) scored on a wild pitch, and
Mike Brennan (New Ringold, Pa./Marian Catholic) sacrificed to center, scoring
Joel Watson (Honesdale, PA/Honesdale). Then
Carmen Lopresto (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) came up and doubled to deep left-center field, scoring Clocker and
Scott Skammer (Dallas, PA/Dallas) and giving the Colonels a 4-3 lead.
In the top of the fifth Marywood threatened to score again, loading the bases with one out, but a lineout to third baseman
Matt Ruch (Dallas, Pa./Holy Redeemer ) lead to a double play, ending the top of the inning. In the bottom of the frame Wilkes was able to get its first two batters on via walks, and after a costly Pacer error, were able to score four more runs, capped off by a Lopresto double to left-center, scoring two.
Marywood answered in the sixth, scoring two runs with one out on a single to right. It didn't take long for Wilkes to answer though, as in the bottom of the inning
Matt Ruch (Dallas, Pa./Holy Redeemer ) hit a rocket over the fence to deep left center, making the score 10-5.
In the top of the seventh Marywood was able to load the bases on patient plate appearances and walks by Colonel pitching, and with two outs a single to center scored two Pacers, bring them back into the game. But, once again, in the bottom of the inning Wilkes had an answer in the form of Ruch, who hit a one out triple over the right fielder's head, scoring three runs and pushing the lead to six.
Wilkes led by as much as nine, but Marywood added one more run, making the final score 16-8 in favor of the Colonels.
Wilkes ended with only ten hits in the game, but took advantage of four Pacer errors and many walks. The Colonels were led by Lopresto, who had three hits, including two doubles, and four RBI's, and Ruch, who also had three hits, including a home run and five RBI's.
Ryan Fetterman (Endicott, NY/Maine Endwell ) got the win for the Colonels, and is now 2-0 on the season.
With the win the Colonels are now 3-3, and will participate in their conference opener on Friday against DeSales. That game will begin at 3:30 p.m.
