EDAWRDSVILLE, PA – Sophomore Tegan Shortlidge (Nescopeck, PA/Berwick) pitched six strong innings allowing just one run with a career high seven strikeouts as the Wilkes University baseball team won 4-2 in a non-conference game against New Jersey City University Wednesday afternoon at Bruggeworth Field.

Wilkes improved to 6-6 overall with the win and New Jersey City dropped to 4-3 overall.

Shortlidge struck out the side to open the game in the top of the first inning and the Colonels wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame. Evan Melberger (West Pittston, PA/Wyoming Area) reached on a single to shortstop to lead off then advanced to second on a balk. Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) was hit by a pitch and Darren Kerdesky (Dallas, PA/Dallas) walked to load the bases. Melberger scored on a double play that Zack Luksic (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) hit into as Show moved to third. Show then scored on an RBI single up the middle by AJ Brosious (Laurys Station, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) to make it 2-0.

Todd Kolbicka (Hanover Twp., PA/Hanover) walked with one out in the second inning then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) then drove in Kolbicka with an RBI single through the left side to make it 3-0 Colonels.

The Gothic Knights used two walks and a single to left field to score their first run in the top of the third. Wilkes loaded the bases with a walk, single by Chase Vrabel (Gibsonia, PA/Pine Richland), and another walk in the bottom of the inning but were unable to extend the lead.

Melberger walked and stole second to start the bottom of the fourth for Wilkes. With two out, Luksic reached on an error by the Gothic Knights first baseman which allowed Melberger to score on the play to increase the lead to 4-1.

New Jersey City gained a run back in the top of the seventh with a walk, stolen base and single up the middle to make it 4-2.

Shortlidge (2-0) pitched 6.0 innings with a career high seven strikeouts to earn the win. He allowed just one run on three hits with two walks. Griffin Coyne (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) went 2.0 innings in relief allowing one run on one hit and two walks with one strikeout. Sawyer Kemp (Nescopeck, PA/Berwick) earned his first save of the season pitching the final inning allowing just one hit with two strikeouts.

Julian Fernandez (1-1) took the loss as he started and went 1.0 innings allowing two runs on two hits and a walk. Justin Wiltsey went the next 6.0 innings in relief allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with five walks and six strikeouts. Frank Shipman pitched the eighth inning giving up one hit and one walk with one strikeout.

Melberger was 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored and Vrabel was 2-for-4 on the day for Wilkes.

Wilkes returns to action tomorrow to finish its Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom three-game series with DeSales University with a road matchup in Center Valley, Pa. at 3:00 p.m. at Weiland Park.