DALLAS, PA – The Wilkes University baseball team dropped both ends of a Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) doubleheader at local rival Misericordia University Sunday at Tambur Field. The Cougars won game one 4-1 and game two 14-3.

Wilkes dropped to 10-14 overall and 4-8 in the conference. Misericordia, who is receiving votes in the D3baseball.com/NCBWA Top 25 poll, is now 18-5 overall and 7-2 in the MAC Freedom.

The Colonels scored first in game one as Devin Markert (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) walked to lead off the top of the third inning. Jason Spezzaferra (Maywood, NJ/Hackensack) then moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt and Todd Kolbicka (Hanover Twp., PA/Hanover) drove him in with a single through the right side to make it 1-0.

The Cougars answered with three runs in the bottom of the third inning to take the 3-1 lead as they used a leadoff triple followed by an RBI fielder's choice play, sacrifice fly and single through the right side.

Brady Madden hit a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the fifth to make it 4-1 for the Cougars.

Aiden Murphy (Mountain Top, PA/Wyoming Seminary) (2-2) went the full seven innings in game one allowing four runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout. Max Oliver (2-0) earned the win as he had the complete game allowing just one run on two hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

Wilkes scored two runs in the top of the first inning of game two as Kolbicka singled and then advanced to second on an Evan Melberger (West Pittston, PA/Wyoming Area) sacrifice bunt. Darren Kerdesky (Dallas, PA/Dallas) then walked and Kolbicka and Kerdesky moved up a base on a groundout by AJ Brosious (Laurys Station, PA/Allentown Central Catholic). Zack Luksic (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) followed with a two-run single to left field as Kolbicka and Kerdesky scored.

Misericordia answered with five runs on four hits including two home runs in the bottom of the first to go ahead 5-2. Garrett McIlhenney hit a leadoff home run and Connor Maryniak added a three-run homer.

Chase Vrabel (Gibsonia, PA/Pine Richland) led off the top of the second with his first home run of the season and second of his career to make it 5-3 as he went deep to right field.

The Cougars added one in the bottom of the second on a walk, single, wild pitch and an error by the third baseman to lead 6-3 after two innings.

Misericordia added two runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the third to go up 8-3. The Cougars added one in the fourth scoring on a sacrifice fly after a single and stolen base and throwing error as the lead increased to 9-3 after four.

In the bottom of the fifth Misericordia added five runs on two hits with three hit batters and two walks along with one error to lead 14-3.

Tony Molitoris (Hanover Twp., PA/Holy Redeemer) (0-3) suffered the loss, going 2.2 innings allowing eight runs (six earned) on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Griffin Coyne (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) went the next 2.0 innings allowing six runs (one earned) on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Jonathan Martens (Mt. Pocono, PA/Scranton Prep) went 0.1 innings allowing one walk. Braydon Wuestner (Gales Ferry, CT/Ledyard) went 1.0 innings scoreless allowing one walk with one strikeout.

Brendan Gray (1-0) earned the win as he went 6.0 innings allowing three runs on four hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Tommy Tracey pitched the final inning with two strikeouts.

The Colonels are slated to finish their MAC Freedom series against Lycoming College next with a doubleheader in Williamsport, Pa. on Tuesday starting at 4:00 p.m.