WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Wilke University softball team lost both games of a Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) doubleheader at Lycoming College Wednesday afternoon at the Shangraw Complex. Lycoming won game one 8-6 and game two 3-0.

Wilkes dropped to 17-11 overall and 3-7 in the MAC Freedom with the losses. Lycoming improved to 20-8 overall and 10-2 in the conference.

The Warriors took the lead in game one in the bottom of the first with a double, single, and sacrifice fly to lead 1-0.

The Colonels tied the game in the top of the second as Hope Mullins (Midland, VA/Liberty) reached on an obstruction play. Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) singled through the right side and then Hayden Calaman (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown Area) singled up the middle to load the bases. Kayla Burleson (West Chester, PA/B. Reed Henderson) followed with an RBI-single through the left side to bring in Mullins and tie the game at 1-1.

Lycoming took the lead back in the top of the fourth using a single, sacrifice bunt, RBI-groundout, and another single to go ahead 3-1. After two walks and a pitching change for the Colonels, a single up the middle scored two more runs to make it 5-1 Warriors.

The Warriors added three runs on two hits and two errors by the Colonels in the bottom of the sixth to make it 8-1.

Wilkes was able to score five runs in the top of the seventh as the Colonels tried to work a comeback. They got the bases loaded with a walk, fielder's choice then singles by Nicole O'Rourke (Staten Island, NY/Susan E Wagner) and Nicole Howell (Tunkhannock, PA/Tunkhannock Area). Sami Hendershott (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) then reached on a fielder's choice at second to pick up an RBI which scored Emily Murphy (Philadelphia, PA/St. Hubert Catholic) from third. Dougher then reached on an error by the third baseman as O'Rourke scored. Hayd. Calaman then hit an RBI single to bring Hendershott across the plate to make it 8-4 and force a pitching change. Burleson promptly doubled to left center for two RBI's as Dougher and Hayd. Calaman scored making it 8-6. The Warriors were able to get the final out on a strikeout to preserve the game one victory.

Mullins (2-5) started and went 3.2 innings allowing five runs on six hits with three walks in the loss. Hendershott pitched the next 2.1 innings allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Avery Eiswerth (5-1) earned the win as she pitched 6.2 innings allowing six runs (two earned) on 10 hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. Payton Whary earned the save as she pitched the final 0.1 innings with the game ending strikeout and allowing a double.

Burleson was 2-for-3 with three RBI's in game one while Hayd. Calaman was 2-for-4 with one RBI and Mullins was 2-for-2 as Wilkes totaled 11 hits in the loss.

Eiswerth hit a solo home run to put Lycoming up 1-0 in the second inning of game two. Morgan Wetzel added a two-run home run in the third inning to make it 3-0.

The Colonels were unable to cross the plate in game two as they left six runners on base.

Lauren DeMarco (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) (7-3) took the loss as he pitched 6.0 innings allowing three runs on four hits with seven strikeouts.

Kylie Russell (10-3) earned the win as she pitched 7.0 shutout innings allowing four hits with one walk and eight strikeouts.

Haylee Calaman (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown Area), Howell, Burleson, and Mullins had one hit each in game two.

The Colonels travel to Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. tomorrow for a non-conference doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.