FORT PIERCE, Fl. – The Wilkes University baseball team played their first of five games in Fort Pierce, Florida Saturday night, defeating the Alvernia University Golden Wolves 5-1 to start the trip on the highest note.

Wilkes improves to 2-2 on the year while Alvernia falls to 2-2.

Wilkes' defense started the day strong, not allowing the Golden Wolves to score a run until the sixth inning. In the top of the first, the Colonels turned a double play on a fly out to Jacob Cambria (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) in center field, who then caught a runner advancing to third with the help of shortstop Nate Loch.

The Colonels opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, with Loch scoring the game's opening run as Jack Mathis (Exeter PA/Wyoming Area) was caught stealing second base. A single up the middle scored Zack Luksic (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) to make it a 2-0 ballgame.

Both teams went scoreless for the next three innings, with more double-plays in the second and third innings for Wilkes, before the navy and gold added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. With Mathis on first, Luke Spencer (Lehman, PA/Lake Lehman) launched a ball off the left field wall for a double. The throw to catch Mathis at the plate was not on target, allowing Spencer to sprint around third and score himself and double the lead to 4-0.

Alvernia scored their lone run in the sixth inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly turned double play by Cambria's throw to catch the runner at third base. Wilkes added another run in the seventh inning, scoring Mathis on a wild pitch to make it a 5-1 ballgame.

After entering the game for Colby Butczynski (Nanticoke, PA/Greater Nanticoke) in the sixth inning, Tyler Uram (Carbondale Twp, PA/Lakeland) allowed only one run on one hit through four innings with three strikeouts, earning him his first collegiate save. Butczynski (1-0) picked up the win, allowing four hits in five innings with two strikeouts.

At the plate, Spencer and Mathis each had multi-hit games going 2-for-4 and 2-for-3 respectively, while Spencer and Cambria each recorded an RBI.

Chris Sasso (0-1) took the loss for Alvernia, allowing four runs in 4.1 innings. Evan Thomas led the team's offense going 2-for-2.

Wilkes returns to the field tomorrow for doubleheader action against Waynesburg University, with first pitch of game one scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Both games will be seven innings.