MYRTLE BEACH, SC – The Wilkes University softball team posted a pair of wins on day two of its spring break trip as the Colonels took game one 10-2 in five innings over Blackburn College before recording a 1-0 shutout victory over Dean College in the nightcap Tuesday in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
 
Wilkes improved to 3-1 on the year following the sweep of games.
 
In the five-inning win against Blackburn in game one of the day, Wilkes used two strong innings at bat to score its 10 runs with six coming in the opening frame and the rest in the final at-bats of the game in the fourth. Bella Peters (Lancaster, PA/Penn Manor) did the rest in the circle scattering three hits while allowing just two runs to record her first win of 2023.
 
Wilkes jumped out to a 6-0 lead after one inning using four hits to plate the runs. With two runners on, Nicole Howell (Tunkhannock, PA/Tunkhannock Area) began the scoring tear drilling a double to right field scoring both runners on the play. After an error by Blackburn plated the Colonels third run, Hana Cross (South Brunswick, NJ/South Brunswick) connected on a three-run triple to cap off the six-run inning.
 
Leading 8-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Howell singled home Hayley Boyd and Allison Radicchi (Binghamton, NY/Windsor Central) posted a pinch-hit two-run single to push the advantage to eight at 10-2. Peters then shut the door on a Blackburn comeback with a strikeout, pop out and ground out stranding one in the top of the fifth.
 
Game two proved to be a pitching duel as the teams went scoreless until the bottom of the third when Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) singled to left field scoring Hana Cross (South Brunswick, NJ/South Brunswick) to plate the game-winning run.
 
Emily Murphy (Philadelphia, PA/St. Hubert Catholic) started the game in the circle for Wilkes and went three scoreless innings allowing just one hit before Hope Mullins (Midland, VA/Liberty) pitched the final four innings preserving the shutout allowing two hits to record the win.
 
Wilkes has an off day tomorrow before returning to play Wednesday with games against Penn State Mont Alto (1:00 p.m.) and Elms College (7:00 p.m.)