EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University softball team fell in two one-run games against Lycoming College in non-conference action on Sunday afternoon at the Ralston Athletic Complex, falling in game one 4-3 in eight innings before dropping a 4-3 decision in game two.

The Lady Colonels are now 14-8 on the season.

In game one, Wilkes was able to jump out in front with one run in bottom of the second inning. Sophomore Haley Welker (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) led off with a single to right field before freshman Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton) moved her to second with a bunt and Welker, with a heads up base running play, realized nobody was covering third and made it ahead of the Warriors defenders. Welker cane in to score on a two-out single from freshman Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford) to give the Lady Colonels a 1-0 lead.

Lycoming tied the game in the top of the fourth with one on two hits.

Wilkes retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with one run on one hit and one error. Freshman Kaliyah Moore (South Williamsport, PA/Williamsport) led off with a walk and was bunted over by freshman Gabrielle Molitoris (Coplay, PA/Whitehall). Welker reached on a fielding error by the third baseman to give the Lady Colonels runners on first and second with two outs before Podlesney doubled to left, scoring Moore and moving Welker to second.

The Warriors tied the game in the top of the seventh with one-out home run, and took the lead in the top of the eighth without recording a hit.

Wilkes put runners on second and third in the bottom of the eighth but were unable to push across the tying run.

Podlesney took the loss in game one, pitching all eight innings and surrendering three runs (two earned) on seven hits with two walks and one strikeout.

Welker, Podlesney, and Staunton each had one hit in game one, with Podlesney and Staunton each driving in a run.

Lycoming jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second of game two on three hits.

The Lady Colonels responded quickly, scoring three runs on four hits with the aid of an error. Junior Christina Gambino (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) led off with a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt from freshman Shataya Buxton (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport), who reached first on a throwing error that allowed Gambino to move to third. Junior Mia Lussier (Somerset, MA/Somerset Berkley) followed with a sacrifice bunt that moved Buxton to second and freshman Gabrielle Molitoris (Coplay, PA/Whitehall) drove home Gambino and moved Buxton to third with a single up the middle. After Molitoris stole second, Podlesney hit a sacrifice fly that drove home Buxton and moved Molitoris to third. Moore finished the scoring with an RBI single to left that drove home Molitoris.

The Warriors tied the score in the top of the third with one run on two hits, and took the lead in the top of the fifth with one run on one hit.

Wilkes placed the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh but was unable to get the run home.

Podlesney took the loss in game two, giving up one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts over the final four innings.

Moore led the Lady Colonels at the plate in the second game, finishing 2-for-4 with one RBI. Podlesney, freshman Sarah Gibson (Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley), Welker, Staunton, Gambino, and Molitoris each had one hit in game two.

Wilkes returns to the field on Tuesday when it will host Clarks Summit for a 6:00 p.m. non-conference doubleheader.