SCRANTON, Pa. – The Wilkes University softball team won game two 5-4 to earn a doubleheader split with the University of Scranton after falling 3-1 in the first game in non-conference action on Tuesday evening.

The Lady Colonels are now 19-9 overall this season.

The scoring in game one started in the bottom of the fourth when Scranton plated one run on three hits.

Wilkes tied the game in the top of the sixth when Haley Welker (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) led off the inning with her third home run of the season.

The Royals took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth with two runs on two hits and one error.

Nicole Cumbo (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) took her first loss of the season, falling to 2-1 after throwing the first 5.2 innings, surrendering three runs (two earned) on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford) pitched the final third of an inning.

Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton) (2-4), Kaliyah Moore (South Williamsport, PA/Williamsport) (2-4), Welker (2-3, one run, one RBI), and Sarah Birchmeier (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) (2-3) all finished with multiple hits in game one.

Scranton jumped out to an early lead in game two, scoring one run each in the bottom of the second and third.

The Lady Colonels tied the game in the top of the fourth with two runs on three hits. Sarah Gibson (Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley) started with a one-out double left center and was pinch-run for by Mia Lussier (Somerset, MA/Somerset Berkley). After a groundout, Lacey Bixler (Williamstown, PA/Williams Valley) singled to left and advanced to second on the throw to the plate, which was not in time as Lussier came in to score. After Bixler stole third, Melena Giuliano (Poestenkill, NY/Averill Park) singled to right to bring in Bixler with the tying run.

Wilkes took the lead in the top of the sixth with two runs on three hits with one Royal miscue. Gibson again started with a one-out double, coming in to score when Bixler doubled to left with two outs. Giuliano then stepped up and singled to drive in Bixler and advanced to second on an error.

Scranton cut the lead to 4-3 with one run on three hits in the bottom of the sixth.

The Lady Colonels pushed their lead back to two in the top of the seventh with one run on one hit. Podlesney led off with a hit-by-pitch and was pinch-run for by Erika Gerace (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain), who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Birchmeier. After a pop-out, Staunton hit a pinch-hit single to bring in Gerace.

The Royals attempted the comeback with one run on one hit in the bottom of the seventh on one hit but Podlesney was able to shut the door.

Staunton improved to 10-3, pitching 5.1 innings and giving up three runs on seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Podlesney pitched the final 1.2 innings to earn her first collegiate save.

Gibson (2-4, one run scored), Bixler (2-3, two runs scored, two RBI's), and Giuliano (2-2, two RBI's) each had two hits in game two.

Wilkes returns to action tomorrow when it will host Keystone for a 5:00 p.m. non-conference doubleheader at Ralston Athletic Complex.