EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University softball team cruised to a pair of five inning victories at the Ralston Athletic Complex on Tuesday evening over Clarks Summit University, winning game one 9-0 before taking game two 8-0.

The Lady Colonels improved to 16-8 with the wins.

In game one, Wilkes took control in the bottom of the first with three runs on three hits. Freshman Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton) led off with a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a fly out. After sophomore Haley Welker (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) was hit by a pitch, Welker and Podlesney executed a perfect double steal with Podlesney scoring on the play. Freshman Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford) came up next and singled up the middle to bring home Welker and came around to score on a double from sophomore Caitlin Brown (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove).

The Lady Colonels added to their lead in the bottom of the second with two runs on two hits and an error. Senior Lacey Bixler (Williamstown, PA/Williams Valley) started off the frame with a walk and stole second before coming home to score on a one-out double to left from Podlesney. After an error and a pop-out, Welker singled to center to bring home Podlesney to open up a 5-0 lead.

Wilkes finished the scoring in the bottom of the fourth, plating four runs on five hits. Junior Christina Gambino (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) launched a one-out solo home run, her fourth of the season. Bixler stepped up next and singled to left before stealing second, advancing to third on a groundout, and scoring on a double from Podlesney. Podlesney came around to
score on a single from freshman Kaliyah Moore (South Williamsport, PA/Williamsport), who herself came in to score on a double from freshman Sarah Gibson (Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley).

Staunton improved to 8-3 with the win, surrendering only one hit with no walks and eight strikeouts.

Podlesney led the way at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI's. Staunton and Gambino (2-3, one run, one RBI each) rounded out the multiple-hit performers in game one.

Game two was much of the same, as the Lady Colonels once again jumped out to an early lead with one run in the second inning on two hits and one error. Brown hit a one-out single, advanced to second on a throwing error, and moved to third on a single from Gambino before coming in to score on a sacrifice fly from freshman Shataya Buxton (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport).

Wilkes blew the game open in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs on six hits. Senior Ally Paskas (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) led off with a single and moved to second when Podlesney singled to center. After Moore singled to load the bases, Staunton cleared the bases with a triple down the right field line before coming in to score on a single from Welker. Gambino was hit by a pitch with two outs and came in to score on a double from Buxton.

The Lady Colonels added the final two runs in the bottom of the fourth on four hits. Paskas started the rally with a double to center and advanced to third when Podlesney singled, with both runners moving up a base on an infield single after a 14 pitch at-bat by Moore. Paskas came in to score on a fielder's choice off the bat of Welker that forced Moore at second, and Brown brought home Podlesney with a single to left.

Junior Nicole Cumbo (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) improved to 2-0 with the win, giving up two hits through four innings with no walks and six strikeouts before freshman Erika Gerace (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain) pitched the final scoreless frame.

Podlesney, Moore, Brown, and Paskas each finished with two hits in game two.

Wilkes returns to action on Thursday when it will host Delaware Valley for a 4:00 p.m. MAC Freedom doubleheader.