Situational Hitting Helps Wilkes Softball Sweep Eastern
EDWARDSVILLE, PA – The Wilkes University softball team got timely hits on their way to winning its first two Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) games of the season on Sunday over Eastern by scores of 5-2 and 4-1.
The victories push the Colonels to 10-7 overall and 2-2 in the MAC Freedom.
Wilkes got on the board in the first inning of game one as a hit by pitch and walk loaded the bases with two outs for Britny Jumalon (Torrance, CA/Torrance). The sophomore put together a productive team at bat that resulted in an RBI base on balls to put the Colonels up 1-0 after the top of the first inning.
The Colonels would again score with two outs in the third as Haley Welker (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) went first to third on a Sarah Gibson (Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley) single through the left side to put runners on the corners. The navy and gold would take advantage of an Eagles miscommunication as a double steal plated Welker from third before Eastern could tag out Gibson to end the frame.
Wilkes put up a crooked number in the third thanks to some small ball as Celine Podlesney (Hazle Twp., PA/Hazleton) got down a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third with one out for Jumalon. The catcher executed a perfect suicide squeeze that surprised the Eagles and allowed Jumalon to reach first with an RBI bunt single. After she stole second, Caitlin Brown (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove) ripped one to left center to bring home two Colonels and give Wilkes a 5-0 lead.
The run support was more than enough for Podlesney in the circle as she threw a complete game, scattering six hits while allowing two earned runs to pick up her fourth win of the season.
The Colonels got on the board early in game two as a two-out double by Welker plated Brown and Gab Giordano (Moscow, PA/Holy Cross).
Wilkes added two more in the fourth as Welker again doubled to put runners at second and third with one out. That brought Erin Cabry (York, PA/Central York) to the plate who followed with a two-run single to double the Colonels advantage at 4-0.
The four runs were plenty for Wilkes starter Gracen Staunton (Kernersville, NC/Northwest Guilford) who went the distance, surrendering only one run and striking out five to improve to 4-3 in the circle.
Wilkes continues its home stand with a twin bill against Lycoming on Wednesday, March 27th at 3:00 p.m.
