MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Wilkes University softball team ended its spring break trip to South Carolina in dominating fashion on Friday, defeating La Roche College 8-0 in five innings before defeating Regis College 9-0 in six innings.

The Lady Colonels are now 7-1 on the season, one of the best starts in program history.

Wilkes got the scoring started against La Roche in the bottom of the first, plating three runs on four hits. Aafter a lead-off fly out, senior Lacey Bixler (Williamstown, PA/Williams Valley) hit a single and advanced to second on a single from sophomore Caitlin Brown (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove). Both runners advanced a base on sophomore Haley Welker (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth)'s single, and Bixler came around to score on a sacrifice fly to center field off the bat of freshman Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton). Freshman Sarah Gibson (Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley) finished the scoring with a two-run double to drive home Welker and Brown.

The Lady Colonels extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs on three hits and a walk. Freshman Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford) singled to lead off the inning and was pinch-run for by junior Mia Lussier (Somerset, MA/Somerset Berkley). After a groundout moved Lussier to second, Lussier advanced to third on a strikeout. Bixler followed with a walk, stole second, and both runners came around to score on Brown's two run double, with Brown scoring on a single from Welker to make the score 6-0.

Wilkes ended the game in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs on one walk, one hit, and one error. Freshman Shataya Buxton (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport) started the rally with a one-out walk and advanced to second on an error off the bat of Staunton. After a groundout advanced both runners, junior Sarah Birchmeier (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) hit a two run single to finish the scoring.

Staunton improved to 4-0 on the season with the win, throwing all five innings and surrendering two hits with six strikeouts.

Brown and Welker led the Lady Colonels at the plate, with each finishing 3-for-3 and Brown with two rbi's an two runs scored while Welker drove in one and scored one.

In game two, Wilkes got on the board in the top of the second scoring one run on one hit and one error. Welker led off the inning reaching on an error by the shortstop, stole second, and scored on a single from Podlesney.

The Lady Colonels added to their lead in the top of the fourth, scoring two runs on two hits and one error. Gibson started with a two-out single, advancing to second on a single from Staunton. Both runners came in to score on an error by the right fielder to make the score 3-0.

Wilkes scored its fourth run in the top of the fifth on two hits. Bixler hit a one-out single and advanced to third on a single from Brown. Bixler came in to score on a sacrifice fly from Welker.

The Lady Colonels busted the game open in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs on five hits, three errors. Gibson led off the inning with a single and advanced to third with Staunton reaching on an error. After freshman Melena Giuliano (Poestenkill, NY/Averill Park) pinch-ran and stole second, junior Christina Gambino (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) laced a single to drive in Gibson and Giuliano. Gambino advanced to second on a groundout, reached third on a passed ball, and scored on a single from freshman Gabrielle Molitoris (Coplay, PA/Whitehall). Bixler followed with a single moving Molitoris to third with Bixler reaching second on the throw and both runners scoring on a single from Brown.
Podlesney improved to 3-1 on the season with the win, giving up two hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

Bixler (2-for-4, two runs), Brown (2-for-4, two rbi's), and Gibson (2-for-3, one run) led Wilkes at the plate in the second game.

The Lady Colonels return to action on Thursday when they host Penn College at 4:00 p.m.