FT PIERCE, Fl. – The Wilkes University baseball team used a 3-for-4 game from Joe Champi (Dupont, PA/Pittston) to earn its first win of the season, defeating Westminster College 3-1 in the first game of its Florida spring break trip Saturday evening.  

The Colonels improved to 1-1 on the season with the victory.

The Titans struck for their only run in the top of the first when outfielder Travis Lauster reached on a single and stole second. Lauster came around to score when infielder Brandon Rossier reached on a two-out error, but Wilkes was able to limit the damage when the next batter grounded into an inning-ending fielder's choice.

The Colonels took the lead in the bottom of the third after shortstop Matthew Reese (Wellsboro, PA/Wellsboro) led off with a double. He eventually reached third, with designated hitter Ryan Herbst (East Islip, NY/St. John the Baptist) reaching base after being hit by a pitch, and scored as Reese and Herbst orchestrated a perfect double steal. Herbst then came around with the second run following a one-out single by Champi, giving Wilkes a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Herbst again got hit by a pitch and stole second, setting the table for Champi to come through with his second run-scoring single of the night. Both teams' bullpens stifled the offense for the rest of game as the Colonels cruised to their first win.

Wilkes starting pitcher Marcus Leaf (Reading, PA/Berks Catholic) went three innings, allowing two hits with five strikeouts while walking two and allowing the sole unearned run. Forrest Jordan (Sullivan County, PA/Sullivan County) came on in relief of Leaf to earn his first win of the season, allowing two hits and a hit batter with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched. Matt Kaster (Traben-Trabach, Germany/Crestwood) followed with 2.1 perfect innings, striking out five batters. Patrick Condo (Dallas, PA/Holy Redeemer) pitched a perfect ninth to earn his first save of the season.

The Colonels were led at the plate by Champi, who went 3 for 4 with two runs batted in and two stolen bases, while Herbst was 1 for 2 with two hit by pitches, two stolen bases, and two runs scored.

Wilkes returns to action tomorrow when they face Kenyon College in a double-header with the first game scheduled for 1 p.m.