EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University softball team exploded for 13 runs on 15 hits in a 13-0 five inning win in game one before turning to its pitching in game two holding Eastern University scoreless in a 2-0 victory on way to a MAC Freedom doubleheader sweep Sunday afternoon.
 
With the wins Wilkes improves to 12-4 overall and moves to 5-1 in conference play.
 
In game one, Wilkes jumped out to a 5-0 lead scoring all five runs in its first at-bats. Caitlin Brown (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove) opened the hitting for Wilkes with a single and Haley Welker (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. After the runners advanced to second and third on a pass ball, Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton) and Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford) connected on back-to-back RBI singles giving Wilkes a 2-0 lead. Christina Gambino (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) followed with a three-run blast to center field to push the advantage to 5-0.
 
Brown drilled an RBI double to start the second inning for Wilkes before Welker pushed across two more with a two-run homer over the right field fence extending the lead to 8-0.
 
Wilkes tacked on four more runs in the top of the third thanks to RBI doubles from Brown, Welker and Staunton giving the Lady Colonels a 12-0 lead. The scoring rally ended in the fourth when Hannah Miller (Taylor, PA/Riverside) plated Gabrielle Molitoris (Coplay, PA/Whitehall) on an RBI single after Molitoris doubled to left center.
 
The Lady Colonels offense exploded for 15 hits including three hits each from Staunton and Brown. Welker finished 2-for-2 with the home run as ten different Wilkes hitters reached base safely. Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton) recorded her fifth win in the circle allowing just one hits striking out three in four innings of work. Nicole Cumbo (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) pitched a scoreless fifth in relief not allowing a hit.
 
In game two, Wilkes scored two runs in the top of the fourth using a Staunton sacrifice fly that scored Welker and an RBI single through the ride side from Kaliyah Moore (South Williamsport, PA/Williamsport) that plated Podlesney. It was all the runs needed for Staunton who pitched all seven scoreless innings scattering five hits while striking out four Eastern hitters.
 
The two shutouts marked the sixth and seventh time Wilkes pitching has shut the door on opposing teams this season.
 
The Lady Colonels continue their home stand Wednesday hosting Marywood University for a doubleheader starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Ralston Athletic Complex.