MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University of Mary Washington scored five-runs in the second inning to open up a 7-2 lead and added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to defeat the Wilkes University softball team 10-2 Thursday morning at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic.

With the loss Wilkes dropped to 4-3 on the season.

The Lady Colonels gained the lead in the top of the first inning when Haley Boyd (Escalon, CA/Escalon) walked and advanced to third on a single by Britny Jumalon (Torrance, CA/Torrance). Boyd then crossed the plate on a passed ball with Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford) at bat.

Mary Washington (5-6) responded with two runs in the bottom of the first before Wilkes evened the score at 2-2 with another run in the top of the second inning. Haley Welker (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) started the frame by reaching on an error and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sarah Gibson (Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley). Welker then advanced to third on a passed ball and then was brought home on a Sydney Cogswell (Apalachin, NY/Vestal) RBI single.

Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton) (2-2) was unable to record an out in the second inning where the Eagles scored five runs (two earned) on six hits and three Lady Colonel errors. Christina Gambino (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) came on in relief to finish the second and pitched scoreless innings in the third, fourth and the fifth before Mary Washington struck for three runs in the sixth inning to end the game under the eight-run rule.

The Lady Colonels return to the field for their second game of the day at 5:30 p.m. when they look to rebound against Mount Aloysius College. Wilkes finishes its trip to Myrtle Beach with two final games Friday at 9:30 a.m. against Gwynedd Mercy University and at 1:30 p.m. against La Roche College.