Wilkes University Athletics

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE WILKES UNIVERSITY COLONELS

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE WILKES UNIVERSITY COLONELS WILKES UNIVERSITY COLONELS

Steve Finkernagel

Matt Ruch collected his 200th career hit against DeSales Saturday

WILKES BASEBALL CONCLUDES SEASON SERIES WITH DESALES DROPPING TWO GAMES; MATT RUCH COLLECTS 200TH HIT

4/21/2012 5:55:00 PM

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WILKES BASEBALL CONCLUDES SEASON SERIES WITH DESALES DROPPING TWO GAMES; MATT RUCH COLLECTS 200^TH HIT

EDWARDSVILLE, PA – Visiting DeSales University completed a three-game sweep of host Wilkes University posting a pair of wins in doubleheader action Saturday afternoon at Artillery Park. The Bulldogs held on for a 6-4 win in game one before posting a 12-6 victory in the night cap. Matt Ruch (Dallas, PA/Holy Redeemer), the school's all-time hits leader, collected his 200^th hit late in game two to highlight the Colonels play.

Wilkes slips to 12-23 overall and 3-15 in Freedom play. DeSales improves to 25-11 and 15-3 in league contests.

DeSales led 3-1 in game one after three innings. The Wilkes' run came in the third on an RBI sacrifice fly from Carmen Lopresto (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area). Tay Sidler (Pottsville, PA/Pottsville Area) doubled and Scott Skammer (Dallas, PA/Dallas) singled before the Lopresto fly ball plated Sidler.

In the fourth, Wilkes cut into the lead again when Stephen Ruch (Dallas, PA/Holy Redeemer)'s fielder's choice scored Dan Pisanchyn (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights). After DeSales added two runs in the top of the fifth, the Colonels responded with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game at 4-4. Joe Dantas (Reading, PA/Fleetwood) and Lopresto singled to setup the inning. After a M. Ruch walk, Pisanchyn connected on an RBI single to right field scoring Dantas on the play. Joel Watson (Honesdale, PA/Honesdale)'s sacrifice fly plated Lopresto and tied the contest.

DeSales then used two runs in the top of the seventh to escape with the Freedom win. The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the frame scoring on a walk and single to left field. Wilkes loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but a fielder's choice to third base ended the hopes of a Colonel comeback.

Lopresto led the offense in game one finishing 3-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Starter Zach Lazar (Berwick, PA/Berwick Area) went six strong innings allowing eight hits and four runs getting the no decision. Brandon Carling (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge Area) entered in relief to suffer the loss allowing two runs on one hit.

Game two saw the teams trade runs in the first and third innings as the game went tied at 3-3 into the fourth. A Pisanchyn RBI double and M. Ruch RBI single plated the two Wilkes runs.

DeSales used a four-run fifth and added five more runs in the seventh to break open the game with a 12-5 advantage heading into the seventh. M. Ruch collected his 200^th hit as a Colonel in the bottom of the sixth singling home Dantas on the play.

Wilkes is back in action Wednesday when the Colonels host the University of Scranton at 4:00 p.m. at Artillery Park.

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