EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University baseball team was tied 3-3 heading into the ninth inning with No. 20 Misericordia University before the Cougars scored six runs to win the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) game 9-3 Wednesday afternoon at Bruggeworth Field.

Wilkes dropped to 14-20 overall and 8-13 in the MAC Freedom with the loss. Nationally ranked Misericordia improved to 27-6 overall and 15-3 in the league.

The Colonels were able to gain the lead in the bottom of the first inning with one run. Todd Kolbicka (Hanover Twp., PA/Hanover) singled to center to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Connor Morgan (Dallas, PA/Lake Lehman). Darren Kerdesky (Dallas, PA/Dallas) was then hit by a pitch. Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) then grounded to third but the third baseman's throw went wide of second base as he tried to start the double play which allowed Kolbicka to beat the right fielder's throw to home plate and score on the play to make it 1-0.

The Cougars were able to tie the game in the top of the fourth using a one-out double followed by a hit by pitch, balk, and sacrifice fly to make it 1-1.

Show led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple over the right fielder's head and scored as Ryan Johnston (Garden City, NY/Chaminade) hit an RBI-groundout to first base to put Wilkes back ahead 2-1.

Misericordia manufactured two runs to take the 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh. They used a leadoff single, stolen base and single to tie the game. Then a sacrifice bunt following a pitching change and a bunt single put runners at the corners. Wilkes was able to get the runner out at third as he tried to steal home on a squeeze play for the second out but a single to center brought the go-ahead run in from second.

Kerdesky was able to hit a one-out ground rule double to left center in the bottom of the seventh and moved to third on a groundout by Show. AJ Brosious (Laurys Station, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) then pinch hit and knocked a grounder to the first baseman that went under his glove for an error allowing Kerdesky to score and tie the game at 3-3.

The Cougars scored the winning runs in the top of the ninth as they used a single, sacrifice bunt, and double to right center to go ahead 4-3. After a fly out and intentional walk, Brady Madden hit a three-run homer over the left field fence to make it 7-3. Connor Maryniak then hit a two-run homer to left after a hit by pitch to make it 9-3.

Hunter Lawall (West Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) started on the mound for the Colonels and went 5.1 innings allowing one run on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in the no decision. Tyler Hoedl (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer) pitched 0.2 innings as he finished the sixth and started the seventh on the mound for the Colonels. He allowed one run on two hits and one strikeout. Griffin Coyne (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) pitched the next 2.0 innings allowing one run on four hits. Show (1-2) pitched 0.2 innings allowing six runs on four hits and one walk. Jonathan Martens (Mt. Pocono, PA/Scranton Prep) allowed two balls before Braydon Wuestner (Gales Ferry, CT/Ledyard) got the final out of the ninth on a groundout.

Max Oliver started for Misericordia and went the first 6.0 innings allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts in a no decision. Tommy Tracey (2-0) pitched the final 3.0 innings allowing one run (zero earned) on three hits and three strikeouts to earn the win.

Camrbia was 2-for-4 for the Colonels while seven other players had one hit.

The Colonels travel to Cabrini University in Radnor, Pa. on Friday for a non-conference game starting at 3:30 p.m.