EDWARDSVILLE – Senior Rachel Pritchard (Wilmington, DE/Concord) pitched a strong game one and knocked a two-run walk-off double in game two to lead the Wilkes University softball team to a sweep of the University of Scranton in a non-conference doubleheader Thursday afternoon at the Ralston Athletic Complex.

Wilkes is now 12-10 overall while Scranton is 15-8.

In game one, Erin Cabry (York, PA/Central York) singled to start the bottom of the sixth and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hayden Calaman (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown Area). Pritchard then walked. Jessie Smith (Millersville, MD/Severna Park) followed with a double to right center to bring in Cabry and move Pritchard to third, putting Wilkes up 1-0. Pritchard and Smith scored with the next batter up on a wild pitch to make it 3-0 as Smith came in all the way from second when the throw from the catch to the pitcher at home plate got away as Pritchard slid in safely.

Scranton threatened to tie or take the lead in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs on three hits and one error but Pritchard was able to get the final out with two runners on with a line out to Kaylie Capriotti (Levittown, PA/Pennsbury) in left.

Pritchard (1-3) had a strong start in the circle in game one as she only allowed one hit and one walk through the first six innings. She finished with the complete game, allowing two runs (one earned) on for hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

Jennifer Sweeney (7-4) took the loss in game one for the Royals as she went six innings, allowing three runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

In game two the Colonels took the lead in the bottom of the second. Cabry led off with a single to right. Capriotti was then hit by a pitch. Nicole Howell (Tunkhannock, PA/Tunkhannock Area) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners ahead a base. Marissa Pick (Watsontown, PA/Warrior Run) and Caylee-Mae Williams (Yuba City, CA/River Valley) then walked back-to-back forcing in Cabry for the 1-0 lead with Williams picking up an RBI.

Scranton tied the game in the top of the third with a single, advancement on a wild pitch, and a double. The Royals took their first lead of the day in the top of the fourth using a single, sacrifice bunt, passed ball, and single to go ahead 2-1.

Sami Hendershott (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) walked to lead off the bottom of the seventh and then moved ahead to second on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Douple (Fredericksburg, PA/Northern Lebanon). Rhia Aurand (Avondale, PA/Avon Grove) then was hit by a pitch pinch hitting. Haylee Calaman (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown Area) then reached on a fielder's choice with Aurand out at second and Hendershott moving to third. Pritchard then doubled over the right fielder's head to bring home Hendershott and Calaman from first for the walk-off 3-2 win.

Hendershott (3-0) earned the win, pitching the final three innings without allowing a run or hit with two walks and one strikeout. Bella Peters (Lancaster, PA/Penn Manor) started and went the first four innings for the Colonels, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits with two walks and one strikeout.

Emma Tirollo (6-2) took the loss for Scranton going 6.2 innings and allowing three runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

The Colonels return to the Ralston Athletic Complex tomorrow hosting Stevens Institute of Technology at 1:00 p.m. for Senior Day and a Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom doubleheader.