EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University softball team swept a twilight doubleheader with Marywood University on Wednesday evening, winning game one 7-4 before emerging victorious in game two 7-2.

The Lady Colonels improved to 14-4 overall.

Marywood started the scoring in the top of the first with two runs on three hits.

Wilkes responded in the bottom of the first with one run on three hits. Freshman Kaliyah Moore (South Williamsport, PA/Williamsport) led off the inning with a double to center field and advanced to third on a single from freshman Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton). With two outs, freshman Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford) singled to bring home Moore.

The Lady Colonels took the lead in the bottom of the second, plating four runs on four hits and one error. Freshman Gabrielle Molitoris (Coplay, PA/Whitehall) led off the inning reaching second on an error by the right fielder and after a strikeout freshman Sarah Gibson (Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley) singled to make it first and second with one out, with each runner moving up a base on a single from Moore. Podlesney followed with a run scoring single that brought home Molitoris and reloaded the bases before every moved up on a wild pitch that brought home Gibson. After sophomore Caitlin Brown (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove) reached on a fielder's choice that forced Moore out at third, both runners moved up on an illegal pitch and came home on a single from sophomore Haley Welker (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth).

Wilkes added a sixth run in the bottom of the fourth on three hits and one error. Podlesney reached first with a one-out single and moved to third on a bunt single from Brown and a resulting throwing error on the play. After Brown stole second, Staunton singled up the middle to advance Brown to third and score Podlesney.

The Pacers closed the gap in the top of the fifth with two runs on three hits to cut the lead to 6-4.

The Lady Colonels finished the scoring in the bottom of the sixth with one run on two hits. Podlesney led off the inning with a single and was pinch run for by senior Ally Paskas (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford), who advanced to second on a wild pitch and came in to score on an RBI single from Staunton.

Podlesney led Wilkes at the plate, finishing 4-for-4 with one run scored. Gibson (3-3, one run scored), Staunton (3-4, three RBI's) and Moore (2-4, one run scored) all finished with multiple hits in game one.

Podlesney improved to 6-2 on the season with 4.2 innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits with one strikeout. Junior Nicole Cumbo (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) worked the final 2.1 innings, giving up four hits with two strikeouts.

In game two, the Lady Colonels got on the board in the bottom of the first with one run on one hit and one error. Podlesney started the rally with a one out walk and advanced to second on a fielder's choice from Brown that was dropped by the second baseman. Welker then reached on a fielder's choice that moved Brown to second and forced Podlesney at third before Staunton doubled to left center to drive in Brown and move Welker to third.

Marywood tied the game in the top of the second with one run on one hit.

Wilkes jumped in front in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on two hits wth the aid of four Pacer errors. Freshman Hannah Miller (Taylor, PA/Riverside) led of reaching on an error and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Gambino that was dropped by the first baseman. Gibson followed with a groundout that moved both runners up a base before Moore reached on a fielder's choice with Miller thrown out at home. Podlesney singled to center to score Gambino before Moore and Podlesney advanced a base on a throwing error. Brown followed with a single to the pitcher Moore with Podlesney scoring on a throwing error by the pitcher.

Marywood plated one run in the top of the third on three hits.

The Lady Colonels answered the Pacers with a run of their own in the bottom of the third on one hit and two errors. Birchmeier reached on a one-out error, moved to second on a groundout, and came in to score on a single from Gambino.

Wilkes finished the scoring in the bottom of the fourth with two runs on two hits and one error. Podlesney led off with a walk and was pinch run for by junior Mia Lussier (Somerset, MA/Somerset Berkley), who was forced out at second on a fielder's choice from Brown. Brown moved to second on a single from Welker with both runners moving up after a fly out and throwing error. Birchmeier brought home both runners with a single to left center to finish the scoring.

Staunton led the Lady Colonels at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Staunton improved to 7-2 on the mound, giving up two runs on seven hits over six innings with two walks and four strikeouts. Cumbo pitched a scoreless seventh to finish the game.

Wilkes returns to the field on Saturday when they host Misericordia for a 1:00 p.m. MAC Freedom doubleheader.