EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University softball team scored three runs in the fifth inning of game one and four runs in the sixth of game two to sweep its home opening doubleheader against non-conference foe SUNY Potsdam Friday at the Ralston Athletic Complex. The Lady Colonels rallied for the 4-3 victory in the first game before again rallying for a 7-4 win in game two.

Wilkes improved its record to 8-4 on the season while Potsdam dropped to 2-4.

The Bears went ahead 2-0 in game one with a run in the top of the third and another in the top half of the fourth before the Lady Colonels cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth for a run. Megan Magoon (Barnegat, NJ/Barnegat) started the rally with a two-out walk and advanced into scoring position on a single up the middle by Christina Gambino (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge). Nicolette Kessler (Bangor, PA/Bangor) then singled home Magoon.

Wilkes then went ahead for the first time with three-runs on four hits and two errors in the fifth inning. Sarah Birchmeier (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) single to left field with one out and then moved to second on Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford)'s sacrifice bunt. Staunton also reach base on a throwing error by the Bears pitcher. Sarah Gibson (Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley) then singled to center to load the bases and Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton) singled through the left side for a RBI with Birchmeier coming into score. Gambino then provided a two-run knock to left field with two outs to score Staunton and pinch runner Alexis Kessler (Bangor, PA/Bangor) to put the Lady Colonels ahead 4-2.

Gambino then worked her first perfect inning in the top of the sixth. Potsdam was able to scratch a run across in the seventh but Gambino struck two Bears hitters out looking and induced a groundout to second base to end the game with runners on first and second.

Gambino (2-0) went the complete game allowing three earned runs on six hits and seven walks while striking out five. She also led the way at the plate going 2-for-3 with two RBI's. Nicolette Kessler (Bangor, PA/Bangor) was also 2-for-3 with one RBI.

Potsdam scored one run in the first inning to take the early lead in game two of the twin bill. Wilkes would tie the score in the second inning when Sydney Cogswell (Apalachin, NY/Vestal) singled in Caitlin Brown (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove) from second base after she walked and moved to second on Mia Lussier (Somerset, MA/Somerset Berkley)'s walk.

The Bears responded with one run on three hits in the third inning and went ahead 4-1 with two unearned runs in the top of the fifth frame.

The Lady Colonels chipped away at the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Gibson reached on a single to right center and then after moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Britny Jumalon (Torrance, CA/Torrance), she advanced to third on a Haley Welker (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) single through the left side. With Brown at the plate, Welker baited a throw on a delayed steal that allowed Brown to cross the plate with a steal of home. Brown then scored Welker with a RBI base hit through the left side of the infield.

The Wilkes offense exploded for four runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to grab a 7-4 lead. Jordyn Kondras (Willow Street, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) led off the inning with a double to left center. Haley Boyd (Escalon, CA/Escalon) then moved Kondras to third with a single to right and Staunton brought in Kondras with a RBI single up the middle to tie the score at four. Gibson then loaded the bases with the fourth straight hit in the inning. Boyd scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Jumalon to put the Lady Colonels ahead 5-4. Welker would then tripled down the right field line to bring in two more runs.

Erika Gerace (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain) (1-0) earned her first career victory going all seven innings in the circle. She allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and eight walks with three strikeouts.

Five Lady Colonels went for two hits in the game. Welker (2-for-4, 2 RBI's, 1 run), Cogswell (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Staunton (2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run), Gibson (2-for-3, 1 run), and Kondras (2-for-4, 1 run) led the way at the plate.

The Lady Colonels' busy weekend continues tomorrow when they open Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom play with a doubleheader at the Ralston Athletic Complex at 1:00 p.m. against Misericordia University. The games were originally scheduled to be played in Dallas, Pa. but were moved to Edwardsville due to field conditions.