EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University baseball ended Wednesday's non-conference game against Susquehanna University one run short in a 10-9 loss at Bruggeworth Field.

Wilkes dropped to 7-11 overall with the loss while Susquehanna improved to 12-4 overall.

The Colonels bats started hot as they scored three runs on four hits in the first inning off River Hawks starter Anthony Colucci. Todd Kolbicka (Hanover Twp., PA/Hanover) started the inning with a single to right center then moved to second on a single down the left field line by Evan Melberger (West Pittston, PA/Wyoming Area). With one out, Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) singled through the left side to load the bases. Max Alessi (Wallenpaupack, PA/Wallenpaupack) followed with a two-run single up the middle to bring in Kolbicka and Darren Kerdesky (Dallas, PA/Dallas), who had reached on a fielder's choice. Chase Vrabel (Gibsonia, PA/Pine Richland) then drove in Show as he grounded out first and reached as Susquehanna took the out at second base and the Colonels led 3-0.

Loch Williams (Elkton, MD/Tome) singled up the middle to start the second inning for Wilkes and moved to second on Jason Spezzaferra's (Maywood, NJ/Hackensack) single through the left side. Kolbicka laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both Williams and Spezzaferra ahead to second and third. Melberger then grounded out to first base but picked up the RBI as Williams crossed the plate. Spezzaferra then scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-0 Colonels.

In the top of the fifth Susquehanna scored its first run as they used a hit by pitch and a double to make it 5-1. In the sixth the River Hawks tied the score with a grand slam by Tony Rossi following two errors that were sandwiched by a double. Susquehanna then took the lead with two singles, an error and a sacrifice fly to go ahead 7-5.

Show homered over the right field fence to lead off the bottom of the sixth to make it 7-6. Then in the bottom of the seventh Wilkes tied the game at 7-7 when Jake Cambria (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) singled to left field to bring home Connor Morgan (Dallas, PA/Lake Lehman) who had doubled to left and moved to third on a passed ball.

A hit by pitch and two bunt singles by Susquehanna loaded the bases in the top of the eighth. A walk allowed the go-ahead run to score and then following a double play the River Hawks added to the lead with a two-run single to go ahead 10-7.

Ryan Johnston (Garden City, NY/Chaminade) singled to right field and Devin Markert (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) followed with a single through the right side to open the bottom of the eighth. Spezzaferra sacrificed them ahead with a bunt. Morgan then brought Johnson in with a single to shortstop and the throw that went wild past the first baseman allowed Markert to score as well to make it 10-9.

Show reached first in the bottom of the ninth on an error by the first baseman but a fly out and double play ball ended the Colonels hopes of a full comeback.

Griffin Coyne (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) started for Wilkes on the mound and went 5-plus innings allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits with no walks and two strikeouts in the no-decision. Sawyer Kemp (Nescopeck, PA/Berwick) (0-4) entered and pitched through two batters in the eight to officially go 2.0 innings allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits with no walks and two strikeouts as he was credited with the loss. Tyler Hoedl (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer) pitched the final 2.0 innings allowing two runs on one hit with two walks and one strikeout.

Adam Stuck (2-0) earned the win for Susquehanna as he pitched the seventh inning. Colucci, the starter, went two innings as the River Hawks bullpen ate up seven full innings with seven different pitchers. Vincent Mariella earned his second save of the season as he pitched the scoreless ninth.

Wilkes recorded 14 hits led by Morgan (2-for-3, one RBI, one run), Show (2-for-4, one RBI, two runs, and Johnston (2-for-4, one run). Eight other Colonels batters had one hit as Alessi had two RBI's.

The Colonels return to action for a Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom game against cross-town rival King's College on Friday with first pitch at 3:30 p.m. at Bruggeworth Field.