MADISON, NJ – The Wilkes University baseball team completed a comeback in game one to win 5-4 as Darren Kerdesky (Dallas, PA/Dallas) provided three RBI's including the go-ahead single in the seventh and Aiden Murphy (Mountain Top, PA/Wyoming Seminary) dominated on the mound while the Colonels strung together four consecutive hits in the sixth to score three runs in a 3-0 game two win at FDU-Florham Monday afternoon at Naimoli Ballpark. The doubleheader sweep clinched Wilkes the No. 5 seed in the upcoming Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) tournament.

Wilkes improved to 17-23 overall and more importantly 11-13 in the MAC Freedom as the Colonels completed a three-game series sweep of the Devils. The Colonels 11th conference win means the games for Lycoming College and Delaware Valley University tomorrow will not figure into the conference postseason alignment. This is the second postseason appearance for the Colonels under head coach Kevin Gryboski '95 during his four seasons (plus the COVID year) and just the third appearance in the conference tournament in the last 14 seasons for the team.

FDU-Florham fell to 7-32 overall and 4-20 in the league.

The Devils scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning of game one as they used a walk, hit by pitch and single to load the bases. A sacrifice fly, wild pitch, and RBI fielder's choice brought in those runners for the 3-0 lead.

The Colonels loaded the bases in the top of the second inning with a double by Zack Luksic (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) and two walks but were unable to score.

Wilkes got on the scoreboard in the top of the third with one run. Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) reached on a two-out single back to the pitcher and Luksic followed with a double to right center to bring in Show to make it 3-1.

The Colonels took the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Jake Cambria (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) reached on an error by the pitcher then advanced to second on a wild pitch. After a groundout Evan Melberger (West Pittston, PA/Wyoming Area) and Todd Kolbicka (Hanover Twp., PA/Hanover) walked to load the bases. The runners then all advanced on a wild pitch with Cambria scoring to make it 3-2. With two outs, Kerdesky delivered a two-run single through the right side to bring Melberger and Kolbicka home and put the Colonels up 4-3 and chase the Devils starting pitcher from the game.

Brody Donovan hit a solo home run with two outs in the fifth inning for FDU-Florham to tie the game at 4-4.

Connor Morgan (Dallas, PA/Lake Lehman) reached first on a fielding error by the second baseman to lead off the top of the seventh. He then stole second and scored on the go-ahead single down the right field line by Kerdesky. Show worked out of a single and a walk in the bottom of the seventh to get a pop out and foul out to preserve the one-run win.

Hunter Lawall (West Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) started and pitched the first four innings as the first-year pitcher settled in after the first inning. In total he allowed three runs on one hit with three walks and one strikeout in the no decision. Sawyer Kemp (Nescopeck, PA/Berwick) pitched the fifth inning allowing one run on one hit with one strikeout. Show (2-2) earned the win as he pitched the final two innings scoreless as he allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout.

Robbie Hughes went the first 3.2 innings allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts in a no decision. Jake Stollar (2-2) took the loss as he pitched the next 3.0 innings allowing two hits and one unearned run. Chris Kaponis recorded the final out of the seventh inning.

Kerdesky was 2-for-4 with three RBI's and Luksic was 3-for-4 with one RBI and two doubles. Kolbicka and Show were 1-for-3 with a run in game one.

The Colonels recorded five hits through five innings but were unable to score in game two. Meanwhile Murphy was strong on the mound for Wilkes allowing just two hits during that same time.

Wilkes struck for three runs to break open the scoreless game in the top of the sixth. Luksic led off the inning reaching on a hit by pitch. Kerdesky then moved Luksic to scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Following a groundout Chase Vrabel (Gibsonia, PA/Pine Richland) singled up the middle as Luksic came across the plate with Vrabel advancing to second on the throw home. Cambria then singled to first base as Vrabel moved to third. Jason Spezzaferra (Maywood, NJ/Hackensack) singled to bring in Vrabel as Cambria went first to third on the hit through the right side to make it 2-0. After the Devils replaced their starting pitcher Melberger singled through the left side as Cambria scored to make it 3-0.

Murphy (5-3) made the lead stand as he pitched the complete seven innings for his sixth career complete game and second shutout. He allowed just two hits and two walks with 12 strikeouts. It is the third time he has reached double digit strikeouts this season.

Anthony Molina (0-5) pitched the first 5.2 innings in the game two loss. He allowed three runs on eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Kaponis got the final out of the sixth inning allowing one hit. Daniel Sedutto recorded the first two outs of the seventh and Eli Gonzalez recorded the final out in a three-up-three down inning for the Devils.

Vrabel was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run and Melberger was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk to lead the offense in game two. Kolbicka, Morgan, Kerdesky, Cambria, and Spezzaferra had one hit each as Spezzaferra added an RBI.

Wilkes will now face Stevens Institute of Technology in the 4/5 Play-In Game of the 2023 MAC Freedom Baseball Championship on Thursday in Hoboken, N.J. at 4:00 p.m. The Ducks won two of the three games in the regular season matchup as they won the single nine-inning game in Hoboken before the two sides split the doubleheader at Bruggeworth Field.