NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Wilkes University softball team split its games on the third day of spring break trip, defeating Sweet Briar College 19-3 in five innings, and falling to Malone University 7-1 in the nightcap.

The Lady Colonels are now 4-2 on the season.

In the first game, Wilkes jumped out early on Sweet Briar, plating three runs in the top of the first on three hits and a hit-by-pitch. Sarah Birchmeier (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) reached on a bunt single and promptly stole second. Ally Paskas (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) followed one batter later and laced a double to right center, scoring Birchmeier. Mikala Strum (Grass Valley, CA/Nevada Union) was then hit by a pitch with Lacey Bixler (Williamstown, PA/Williams Valley) stepping up and ripping a two-run triple down the right field line to give the Lady Colonels an early 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, Sweet Briar used a leadoff double, a wild pitch, and a fielder's choice to plate its first run of the game.

Wilkes broke the game wide open in the top of the second, sending 20 hitters to the plate en route to scoring 16 runs in the frame. Nicole Cumbo (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) led off with a single up the middle, but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice by Jenna Graziano (Hawthorne, NJ/Hawthorne). Mia Lussier (Somerset, MA/Somerset Berkley) stepped up next and laid down a bunt single to advance Graziano to second, with Birchmeier walking to load the bases. All three runners moved up a base on a wild pitch and Grace Sanzalone (Mountainside, NJ/Governor Livingstone) also walked to reload the bases for Paskas, who hit a bases-clearing double down the left field line to increase the Lady Colonel lead to 7-1. Mikala Strum (Grass Valley, CA/Nevada Union) followed with a double of her own to the left-center gap, scoring Paskas and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Bixler followed with a walk, and both runners advanced on a throwing error by the catcher. Gambino then walked, and Gambino and Bixler each advanced a base on a wild pitch. Cumbo followed with a single to left field that scored both Gambino and Bixler. Graziano then stepped up and hit a single up the middle that advanced Cumbo to second. Lussier reached on a fielder's choice that forced out Cumbo at third base. Birchmeier walked to load the bases, and Sanzalone walked to force in a run. Paskas followed with another walk, forcing in another run, which was followed by a single from Strum that drove in two runs and advanced Paskas to second. Bixler notched another single of her own that scored Paskas and moved Strum to third. Caitlin Brown (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove) pinch-hit for Gambino, reaching on a walk to load the bases, and Cumbo stepped up and laced her third hit of the inning, clearing the bases with a triple to right field to end the scoring and give the Lady Colonels a 19-1 lead.

Sweet Briar scored additional runs in the fourth and fifth, but would come no closer as the game ended after five innings.

Wilkes starting pitcher Nicole Cumbo (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) went two innings, surrendering one run on one hit, one walk, and three strikeouts. Alexis Ayache (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) went 2.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with three strikeouts to earn the win.

In the second game, Malone scored runs in the first, fourth, and sixth to jump out to a 5-0 lead. The Lady Colonels got on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Alexis Ayache (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter and hit a single up the middle. Mia Lussier (Somerset, MA/Somerset Berkley) then re-entered as a pinch runner, and advanced two bases on two separate wild pitches to reach third with no outs. Sarah Birchmeier (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) then drove Lussier home with the Lady Colonels lone run.

Malone added two more runs in the top of the seventh to finish the scoring.

Cumbo started on the mound and lasted 5.2 innings, surrendering five runs on nine hits but fanned seven batters.

Wilkes returns to action tomorrow when they host Medaille College at 9:30 a.m. and St. Joseph's Long Island at 1:30 p.m.