EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University softball team closed out its 2017 regular season with a split against Alfred University, winning the first game 2-1 before falling in the second 4-1.

The Lady Colonels are now 24-14.

In game one, Alfred got on the board in the top of the first with a lead-off home run to center field.

Wilkes took the lead in bottom of the fifth with two runs on three hits. Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford) reached first on a fielding error by the shortstop and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Christina Gambino (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge). Lacey Bixler (Williamstown, PA/Williams Valley) tied the game with a double deep to the gap in left center before moving to third on a passed ball and coming home when Sarah Gibson (Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley) singled through the left side for the eventual winning run.

Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton) started in the circle for the Lady Colonels, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing just the one run on three hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Staunton improved to 13-4 this season after coming on in relief and pitching the final 2.2 innings allowing only two hits.

Gibson led the way at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with one RBI. Podlesney, Bixler, and Sarah Birchemeier each had a hit.

In game two, the Saxons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on two hits and one error, and added a second run in the top of the second on one hit.

Wilkes cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the on two hits. Bixler hit a one-out double over the center fielders head and came around to score one batter later when Ally Paskas (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) hit a double to the gap in right center.

Alfred increased its lead to 4-1 in the top of the fourth on a two-run home run.

Staunton fell to 13-5 on the season, surrendering four runs (three earned) on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts over three-plus innings.

Staunton, Bixler, and Paskas each had one hit.

The Lady Colonels, who have clinched the No. 2 seed in the 2017 MAC Freedom tournament, return to action on Friday at noon when they face King's College in the second game which will be played at Delaware Valley University.