FORT PIERCE, Fl. – The Wilkes University baseball team finished off their spring break trip in Fort Pierce, Florida on a high note Thursday afternoon, defeating the Norwich University Cadets 7-3.

The Colonels improve to 5-3 on the year and finish 4-1 in the Sunshine State. Norwich falls to 3-4 overall.

The Cadets opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, scoring on a fielding error to take a 1-0 lead. Wilkes responded in their half of the frame, scoring two on a fielding error at second base to take a 2-1 lead. With the bases loaded, Jimmy Brazofsky's (Park Ridge, NJ/Park Ridge) groundout to shortstop brought home Luke Spencer (Lehman, PA/Lake Lehman) to make it a 3-1 ball game.

The Colonel offense added another run in the bottom of the fourth, as Spencer singled to right center. Another single to right center in the fifth brought home a fifth run, this time it was Brazofsky who picked up the RBI. Gavin Lacoe (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) joined in on the fun with a two-run double to left center in the bottom of the seventh to increase the Colonel lead to 7-1.

Norwich scored two in the top of the eighth to make the score 7-3, but the Colonel defense shut down the Cadets to take the victory.

Riley Jagger (Hop Bottom, PA/Mountain View) (1-0) picked up his first collegiate win, allowing only one run (unearned) on two hits with three strikeouts through five quality innings of work. Fellow first year Sal Colello (Highland Mills, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) had a strong relief effort, allowing only one hit through two innings.

At the plate, Brazofsky and Lacoe led the team with two RBIs each. Nine Colonels recorded hits in the game, with Jacob Cambria (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) the lone multi-hit batter of the day. Zack Luksic (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) and Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) recorded extra-base hits with a double each.

Jordan Talbot (0-1) picked up the decision for Norwich, allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits through four innings. Trevor Lussier led the team with two RBIs.

Wilkes returns home to Bruggeworth Field for their next contest, a matchup against Oswego State on Sunday, March 9. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.