KINGSTON, Pa. – The Wilkes University baseball team pounded out a 6-3 win in game two after dropping game one 2-1 in extra innings to earn a split with Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom opponent Eastern University on Sunday afternoon.

The Colonels now stand 6-12 overall and 1-5 in MAC Freedom play.

Game one was a true pitcher's duel, with neither starter surrendering a run through the first six innings.

Eastern broke through in the top of the eighth with two runs on three hits and one error.

Wilkes battled back for one run in the bottom of the frame on two hits. Sophomore Jack Fischer (River Vale, NJ/Pascack Valley) led off with an infield single and came around to score on a two-out double from sophomore Brady Wing (Syracuse, NY/Jamesville-Dewitt).

Senior Quinn Kelly (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) started on the mound for the Colonels, taking a no-decision after allowing no runs in his six innings, surrendering five hits and one walk with six strikeouts.
Senior Matt Kaster (Traben-Trabach, Germany/Crestwood) fell to 1-1 on the season after allowing the two runs in two innings on three hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

Fischer led the way at the plate in the first game, finishing 2-for-3 with one run scored.

In game two, the Eagles got on the board first with one run on one hit.

Wilkes tied the game in the bottom of the second with one run on two hits. Junior Jarret Clymer (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) led off the frame with a bunt single, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout, and came in to score on a single from freshman Matt Reinert (Telford, PA/Souderton).

The Colonels jumped out in front in the bottom of the third with three runs on three hits. Wing started the rally with a one-out single and moved to second on a single from junior Joe Champi (Dupont, PA/Pittston). Both runners came around to score on the first career home run from sophomore Nick Capozzi, a ball the was launched over the center field fence to give Wilkes a 4-1 lead.

The Colonels added a fifth run in the bottom of the fourth on two hits. Reinert led off the inning with a double down the left field line, and after stealing third, came in to score on Fischer's RBI single to center.

Wilkes scored its sixth and final run in the bottom of the sixth on two hits. Reinert again led off the inning with a double, stole third, and came in on a bunt single from Fischer.

The Eagles added two runs on two hits in the bottom of the seventh before senior Mat Reese entered and closed the door for his first career save.

Nixon improved to 2-1 on the year, giving up three runs on four hits with three walks and eight strikeouts over 6.1 innings. Reese earned the save with a clean final two-thirds.

Reinert finished game two 3-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI while Fischer finished 2-for-3 with two RBI's.

The Colonels return to action on Tuesday when they host Marywood for a 4:00 p.m. non-conference game.