FORT PIERCE, Fl. – The Wilkes University baseball team were handed their first defeat in Fort Pierce, Florida Tuesday morning, falling to Lebanon Valley College 8-5 at Bob Gladwin Stadium.

The Colonels fall to 4-3 on the year, while the Flying Dutchmen improve to 2-5 overall.

LVC took the early lead, scoring four runs in the first inning and adding another in the third to take a 5-0 lead. In the sixth inning, Luke Spencer (Lehman, PA/Lake Lehman) scored the team's first run of the day on an error that allowed Jacob Cambria (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) to reach first.

Spencer then singled in the seventh to drive home two runs and make it a 5-3 ball game. Zack Luksic (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) then drove home a run on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on an error, allowing Jack Mathis (Exeter PA/Wyoming Area) to score and bring the Colonels within a run.

The Flying Dutchmen added two more in their half of the seventh to restore their lead to 7-4, and despite a Spencer walk with the bases loaded adding one more run, the Colonels eventually fell 8-5.

Wilton Abreu (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Liceo Americo Pérez Tolentino) (0-1) was handed the decision, giving up four runs in two innings with two strikeouts. Ethan Grodack (Lake Ariel, PA/Western Wayne) pitched four innings allowing two runs on one hit with four punchouts.

At the plate, Spencer led the team with three RBIs, while Luksic had the team's lone extra-base hit with a double.

Jacob Detwiler (1-0) earned his first win of the season for LVC, pitching five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. Tony Bennage picked up the save, pitching the ninth inning. At the plate, Logan Brewer led the team with two hits.

Wilkes wraps up its' spring break trip on Thursday as they face Norwich University. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.