EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University baseball team picked up a 2-1 victory over cross-town rival King's College Tuesday at Bruggeworth Field in a non-conference game that reverted back to the end of the sixth inning after the umpires called the game due to darkness in the middle of the seventh.

Wilkes improved to 3-0 on the season. The game was the season-opener for King's as the Monarchs stand at 0-1 with the loss.

The Colonels started strong with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Matthew Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) reached on a throwing error by the Monarchs third baseman. Todd Kolbicka (Hanover Twp., PA/Hanover) was then hit by a pitch. With two outs, Zack Luksic (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) tripled to right center to bring in Show and Kolbicka to make it 2-0.

Wilton Abreu (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Liceo Americo Pérez Tolentino), making his first collegiate start, worked out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the third inning with a groundout back to him.

The Monarchs got on the board in the top of the fifth using a walk, stolen base, advancement on a flyout, and a throwing error to score an unearned run to make it 2-1.

A steady rain began to fall in the middle of the fifth inning on the Bruggeworth Field turf.

The Monarchs were able to tie the game in the top of the seventh but before play could continue into the bottom of the inning the umpires stopped the game due to darkness which reverted the game back to the previous full inning with Wilkes winning 2-1 in six innings.

Abreu (2-0) earned the win as he pitched 5.0 innings. He allowed one unearned run on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) earned his first save of the season as he pitched a scoreless sixth inning allowing one walk with two strikeouts.

Matt Masala (0-1) started and pitched the first 4.0 innings for King's. He allowed two unearned runs on one hit. Aiden Hoderewski pitched the next two innings as he did not allow a run or hit and had two walks and four strikeouts.

The Colonels head to Fort Pierce, Fla. for their Spring Break Trip as they begin play down south against Norwich University on Saturday, March 2 at 3:00 p.m.