SCRANTON, PA – The Wilkes University baseball team dropped its final non-conference game of the season Tuesday evening at Volpe Field to the University of Scranton by a 7-2 score.

Wilkes fell to 14-23 overall with the loss while Scranton improved to 20-13 overall.

The Royals scored one run to take the lead in the bottom of the first on a double, walk, and single.

The Colonels tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the third inning. Chase Vrabel (Gibsonia, PA/Pine Richland) led off with a double down the right field line. Jake Cambria (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) then moved Vrabel to second with a sacrifice bunt. Jason Spezzaferra (Maywood, NJ/Hackensack) then drove in Vrabel with a double to right center.

In the bottom of the third Scranton scored four runs on four hits and two walks to take a 5-1 lead. The home side added to its lead in the bottom of the sixth using a double, hit by pitch and double to lead 7-1.

Darren Kerdesky (Dallas, PA/Dallas) hit a solo home run over the right field fence in the top of the ninth for his first home run of the season which produced the 7-2 final score.

Tegan Shortlidge (Nescopeck, PA/Berwick) (3-2) started for the Colonels and took the loss. He allowed five runs on seven hits with three walks and one strikeout in three innings. Griffin Coyne (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) pitched the final five innings allowing two runs on three hits with three strikeouts.

Thomas Plunkett (3-2) earned the win for the Royals as he pitched seven innings allowing one run on two hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Connor McElroy Barker threw the final two innings allowing one run on one hit.

The Colonels return to action Friday for Senior Day and their final home game of the season at Bruggeworth Field Wilkes will host FDU-Florham at 3:30 p.m. to start a three-game Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom series with the Devils.