EDWARDSVILLE – No. 17 Moravian University used timely hitting and standout pitching on way to a Landmark Conference doubleheader sweep of the Wilkes University softball team Monday afternoon at the Ralston Athletic Complex. The Greyhounds took game one 8-0 in six innings before posting a 6-1 victory in game two.
 
Wilkes slipped to 11-10 overall and 6-4 in Landmark games. Moravian, now in sole possession of first place, improved to 22-4 overall and 6-0 in league games.
 
Prior to game one, Wilkes' four seniors were honored for all their hard work and dedication to the program including Hannah Boyd (Escalon, CA/Escalon), Kayla Burleson (West Chester, PA/B. Reed Henderson), Bella Peters (Lancaster, PA/Penn Manor) and Evan Sherrick (Lancaster, PA/Hempfield).
 
Game one went scoreless through the first four innings thanks to strong pitching from both sides. Moravian finally broke through scoring four runs on four hits and two Wilkes errors to take the lead. The Greyhounds added four more runs in the top of the sixth this time using five hits, including five singles, to do its damage in the frame.
 
The Colonels could only muster four hits in the game as Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton), Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton), Allyson Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View) and Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) accounted for the safe passes.
 
Butka went five innings allowing eight hits and three earned runs while striking out three. Peters entered in the sixth allowing five hits and four earned runs.
 
Sarah DeStefano earned the complete game win for Moravian scattering the four hits while striking out five.
 
Moravian continued its hot bats to start game two as a three-run home run pushed the Greyhound ahead early 3-0 after one inning of play. The visitors added to their lead in the third scoring two more times to extend the advantage to 6-0 through five innings.
 
Wilkes finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth scoring one run on two hits. Talia Piragas (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge) began the frame with a single and moved to second on a Boyd sacrifice bunt. After a fly out, Burleson connected on the RBI single to left field scoring Piragas.
 
The Wilkes offense was again held to four hits in the loss of game two. A. Stafursky led the way finishing 2-for-3. Lauren DeMarco (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) suffered the loss in the circle going six innings allowing nine hits and four earned runs while striking out four Moravian batters. Tessa Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View) pitched a scoreless seventh.
 
Wilkes is right back in action tomorrow (Tuesday) when the Colonels host Lebanon Valley College in a non-conference doubleheader starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Ralston Athletic Complex.