Steve Finkernagel

Wilkes salvaged a split with Misericordia Saturday thanks to a walk-off home run from Emily McGrath in game one

MCGRATH WALK OFF GIVES WILKES SOFTBALL SPLIT WITH MISERICORDIA

4/27/2013 5:28:00 PM

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MCGRATH WALK OFF GIVES WILKES SOFTBALL SPLIT WITH MISERICORDIA

EDWARDSVILLE – Emily McGrath (Upper Darby, PA/Drexel Hill) hit a walk off home run with two outs in the bottom of the tenth to give Wilkes a 5-4 win in game one before being edged 5-4 in game two to give the Wilkes University softball team a split with Misericordia Saturday afternoon at the Ralston Athletic Complex.

Wilkes improves to 16-20 overall and 5-9 in Freedom play while the Cougars fall to 15-16 and 6-8 in the league.

In game one, the two squads traded zeroes until the top of the fourth inning. The Cougars struck for three runs, on three hits while capitalizing on four Lady Colonel defensive miscues. Wilkes responded with a single tally in the bottom of the frame when Laykin Hughes (Minersville, PA/Pottsville) hit a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Alysha Bixler (Williamstown, PA/Williams Valley) who doubled earlier in the inning.

Wilkes struck again for two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Bixler homered before Katie Brown (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke) singled in Dayna Finch (Milford, CT/Joseph Foran) who pinch ran for Hughes who doubled after the Bixler blast.

Notched at three, both teams traded zeroes until the top of the tenth. Mallory Getts, who started on second base, was moved to third on a Cougar sacrifice bunt. Kristi Seiler then doubled to plate Getts and give Misericordia the 4-3 edge heading into the bottom of the tenth.

With Jessalyn Paveletz (Hanover Township, PA/Hanover Area) on second, Alex Hoops (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) hit a fielder's choice and trying to take advantage of a deserted second base, Hoops was eventually tagged out in a rundown that allowed Paveletz to score and tie the game at four apiece. After a groundout, McGrath delivered the walk off blast over the left field fence.

In game two, the Cougars struck for single tallies in the first and third while placing a three spot on the board in the second. The big blows came from two home runs off the bat Melissa Parker.

Wilkes fought back strong, scoring four runs in the third. Finch started the inning with a hit by pitch. Kait Brown (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor) and Michelle Coyle (West Milford, PA/West Milford) singled to load the bases. Mandy Seccia (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) reached on a fielder's choice as Finch came around to score on a catcher miscue. Hoops came through in the clutch, delivering a two run single back up the middle.

Down 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Seccia delivered a first-pitch single just out of the second basemen's reach. Paveletz followed with a single squeaking through the left side of the infield. Hoops delivered a line drive to the warning track, but a diving catch from a right fielder, followed by a laser throw to third tagged out Seccia trying to advance on the catch. Bixler popped up to second on the next pitch to give Misericordia the 5-4 win.

Wilkes has a quick turnaround, hosting Marywood tomorrow for a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.

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