EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – The Wilkes defense held DeSales University to only one run on three bases-loaded opportunities to clinch a 3-1 non-conference victory at Bruggeworth Field on Monday afternoon.

With the win, the Colonels end a five-game losing streak and improve to 20-12 on the year while DeSales leave with a 15-19 overall record.

Wilkes held DeSales scoreless in the first two innings, including a flashy grab by Luke Spencer (Lehman, PA/Lake Lehman) at third to get the game's first out. The Colonels scored in their half of the inning as Zack Luksic (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) reached home on a fielding error to put the home team up 1-0.

The blue and gold doubled their lead in the fourth inning, as Connor Morgan's (Lehman, PA/Lake Lehman) sacrifice fly to right field allowed Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) to reach home and make it 2-0 Wilkes.

DeSales got on the board in the sixth inning, as one run scored on a single to center field. Devin Markert (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) responded in the bottom of the frame with a double to score Show that restored Wilkes' two-run lead.

Wilkes' defense left five Bulldogs stranded on base in the final three innings of play and held on for the 3-1 victory on a sunny afternoon at Bruggeworth Field. Tegan Shortlidge (Nescopeck, PA/Berwick) (1-1) picked up his first win of the season, pitching five innings allowing the lone run on six hits with three strikeouts. Ryan Cosby (Buford, GA/Mountain View (GA)) earned the save in the ninth, striking out one and getting the Colonels out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth.

Luksic was the only Colonel with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 at the plate with both hits being doubles.

Zach Rothermel (1-2) was the losing pitcher on the day for DeSales, giving up all three runs (two earned) on five hits with one strikeout. Owen Fischl led the Bulldogs at the plate going 2-for-3 with the RBI on the team's single run.

The Colonels return to Landmark Conference action on Wednesday, April 24 as they travel to finish their mid-week series against Lycoming College. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.