Steve Finkernagel

Jess Paveletz went 4-for-4 in game two to lead Wilkes to a 6-4 victory and sweep of Keystone Thursday

WILKES SOFTBALL TAKES TWO FROM KEYSTONE

3/28/2013 7:03:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

WILKES SOFTBALL TAKES TWO FROM KEYSTONE

EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University softball team used timely hitting and a pair of quality pitching starts to record a sweep of visiting Keystone College Thursday afternoon at the Ralston Athletic Complex. Wilkes took game one 3-1 before claiming a 6-4 decision in the second contest.

Wilkes improves to 7-9 overall following the sweep while Keystone drops to 6-7 on the year.

Keystone opened with a 1-0 lead after two innings using an RBI groundout to score the tally.

Wilkes got on the board in the fourth using three walks to load the bases with one out. After a strikeout, Michelle Coyle (West Milford, PA/West Milford) connected on a two-run single up the middle to give Wilkes a 2-1 lead after four innings of play.

The Lady Colonels added an insurance run in the sixth. Mandy Seccia (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) singled down the left field line followed by another base hit from Jessalyn Paveletz (Hanover Township, PA/Hanover Area) placing runners at first and second. Seccia would later score on an error by the first basemen.

Paveletz led the offense going 2-for-3 with a walk. Seven other Lady Colonels posted one hit in the contest.

Alysha Bixler (Williamstown, PA/Williams Valley) started the game in the circle going four innings allowing one run on two hits striking out five. Laykin Hughes (Minersville, PA/Pottsville) entered in relief in the fifth pitching three scoreless innings for her first save of the season.

Keystone began game two as it did in game one scoring one run in the first to take a 1-0 lead.

Wilkes responded in the bottom half of the frame when Paveletz hit an RBI triple to right centerfield scoring Haylie Phillips (Rome, PA/Northeast Bradford) to tie the game at 1-1. Emily McGrath (Upper Darby, PA/Drexel Hill) added an RBI single scoring Paveletz to give Wilkes its first lead of the contest, 2-1.

The lead grew to 4-1 after five innings as Wilkes used one hit and a Keystone error to score two runs in the frame. Haylie Phillips (Rome, PA/Northeast Bradford) led-off the inning with a walk and Paveletz added an infield single. Both base runners moved up a base following a wild pitch. From there, Alex Hoops (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) grounded out to shortstop scoring Wilkes' first run of the inning. Mandy Seccia (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) reached on an error by the left fielder on the next play scoring Paveletz as the Lady Colonels extended their advantage.

Keystone tied the game at four apiece in the top of the sixth scoring three runs on two hits including an RBI single and double. Wilkes answered back in the bottom of the frame as Bixler doubled and scored on an RBI double from Phillips who helped her cause at the plate. Paveletz added her fourth hit of the game knocking in Phillips on an RBI single to put Wilkes ahead 6-4 entering the final inning of play.

Keystone threatened in the top of the seventh with a leadoff double, but Hughes entered in relief of Phillips and claimed the final out to secure the win for the Lady Colonels.

Paveletz finished a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate driving in two runs and providing all the offense needed for Wilkes in the victory.

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