Game One
Game Two

The Wilkes University softball team hosted FDU-Florham on Saturday in a Freedom Conference double-header, winning both contests by a score of 5-4.

The Devils put two runners on with one out in the first inning against starting pitcher Lindsay Behrenshausen (Mt. Holly Springs/Boiling Springs), and a softly hit single to right center scored the runner from second, giving FDU an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame Wilkes had two runners on with two outs, but couldn't drive anyone home.

In the top of the third the Devils put together a string of hits, eventually scoring one more run. In the fourth, the leadoff batter for FDU hit a solo home run over the left field fence, advancing the Devil lead to three. Later in the inning, the Devils loaded the bases with only one out, but Behrenshausen led Wilkes out of the jam, keeping the score 3-0.

In the bottom of the fifth Wilkes had two runners on with one out, as Amanda Holston (Frankford, DE/Sussex Central) and Megan Mowery (Berwick/Berwick) each slapped singles to the outfield. Then Kristy Ordile (Bellmawr, N.J./Triton Regional) hit a single to left, scoring both runners and narrowing the deficit to one. Gina Stefanelli (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Meyers) then hit her second single of the game, and two costly FDU errors led to another Wilkes run, and put runners on second and third with one out. The Lady Colonels were not able to take the lead though, as FDU pitching took care of the next two Wilkes batters, leaving the score tied at three runs a piece.

In the top of the sixth the Devils went down in order, while Alyssa Ceisla and Abbey Agresti (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin East) were able to reach to lead off the bottom of the frame. After a sacrifice by Holston, Mowery singled to right, scoring Ceisla and giving Wilkes its first lead of the game. Ordile singled to center, scoring Agresti, making the score 5-3 at the end of the inning.

The Devils had one more chance to tie the game up or take the lead in the seventh, and led off the inning with a double to right. FDU would hit another double, scoring one and putting the tying run on second base. Soon after, the Devils loaded the bases with only one out, but Behrenshausen took are of business, striking out the next two batters and winning the game for the Lady Colonels.

Wilkes was led by Ordile in the contest, as the first baseman was 2-for-4 with three RBI's. Mowery and Stefanelli each had two hits as well.

In the second game Maureen Pelot (Kirkville, N.Y./Chittenango) was on the mound for Wilkes, and the leadoff hitter for FDU doubled down the left field line to start off the game. Pelot then settled down, striking out two and getting the final batter of the inning to ground out, eliminating the early threat.

In the top of the third, the Devils got their leadoff hitter on once again, and with one out they had a runner in scoring position. After a crucial Wilkes error, FDU had runners on the corners, and a single to center scored one, giving the Devils a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the inning Wilkes had two runners on with two outs, but couldn't hit in the runner on second, letting a scoring opportunity slip by. In the fifth, FDU had two runners on with one out, but Pelot struck out the next batter, and the Wilkes defense took care of the last, ending the top of the inning with the score still 1-0.

In the sixth, the first three batters for FDU reached base, loading them with no one out. After a fielder's choice to right field, FDU scored its second run of the game, but the Lady Colonels locked up on defense, allowing only one run in an inning that could've produced more.

Wilkes led off the bottom of the inning with a double by Mowery, just out of the right fielder's reach. Ordile then singled to right field, and Stefanelli knocked in Mowery with a single to left, giving Wilkes its first run of the game. After FDU turned a double-play, Rachel Miller (Wyoming, Pa./Holy Redeemer) came up and nailed a shot over the left field fence, a two-run home run that gave Wilkes its first lead of the game.

In the top of the seventh, the Devils needed at least one run to stay in the game, and led off the inning with a single to center. That runner made it to second on a ground out, and with one down the Devils had the tying run in scoring position. The next batter for FDU singled to center, scoring the runner from second and tying up the game, 3-3. After a runner advanced to third on a wild pitch, another FDU singled handed the lead back to the Devils.

In the bottom of the seventh, Agresti led off with a single to right, putting the tying runner on base for the Lady Colonels. Holston sacrificed her over to second, putting Agresti on second with one out. After a wild pitch, Agresti advanced to third, and Mowery hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring the tying run and sending the game into extra innings.

FDU went down in order in the eighth, and Jackie Follweiler (Slatington/Northern Lehigh) led off the bottom of the inning with a single to right center, putting the winning run on base. After a fielder's choice error by FDU, Behrenshausen replaced Follweiler at second, and Megan Gershey (Lake Ariel, Pa./Western Wayne) singled to left, putting advancing the game winning run to third. FDU then threw a wild pitch, scoring Behrenshausen and ending the game in Wilkes' favor, 5-4.

Wilkes was led by Miller with the two-run home run, giving Wilkes the necessary runs to get back into the game. Gershey ended up with the win for the Lady Colonels.

The next game for the Lady Colonels will take place on Sunday, March 28 when Wilkes hosts William Paterson. That double-header will begin at 1:00 p.m.