EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – The Wilkes University softball team split their midweek doubleheader with cross-town rival King's College on Wednesday afternoon, defeating the Monarchs 4-1 in game one but falling 4-0 in game two.

Wilkes finishes the day 13-13 overall, while King's leave the Ralston Athletic Complex with a 13-23 record.

Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) got the scoring started in game one with a double to left field that brought home Allyson Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View). The Monarchs responded in the second inning with an RBI triple that tied the game at one.

Wilkes pulled ahead in the fourth inning as Hannah Boyd (Escalon, CA/Escalon) reclaimed the lead for Wilkes, driving in a run with a single to left field and advancing on the throw. Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) then scored as King's attempted to pick her off at third base, but the throw from the catcher went into the field to give Wilkes the 3-1 advantage.

Stafursky added one last insurance run in the sixth inning with a single to center field that scored Abby Cruz (Dallas, PA/Dallas) from second. Lauren DeMarco (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) then sat down King's in order in the top of the seventh to seal the win for the Colonels, the first against the Monarchs at the Ralston Athletic Complex since 2018.

Butka (4-6) took the win going six innings allowing seven hits and one run with two strikeouts. DeMarco earned her first save of the year in the seventh inning with a strikeout of her own.

Emily Novicki (6-9) was given the loss in a complete game effort, allowing ten hits and four runs (three earned). Paige Bergan led King's going 2-3 at the plate.

The visitors responded in game two, taking the lead in the second inning with a two-run single before being out at second base. In the third, the Monarchs doubled the lead with a two-run home run that they held through the game. Wilkes had nine hits, including loading the bases in their half of the fourth inning, but were unable to plate a run.

Starting pitcher Tessa Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View) (1-3) was given the loss, pitching two innings allowing four runs. DeMarco then pitched the final five innings allowing just two hits with three strikeouts. The junior also went 2-3 at the plate, one of three Colonels with multi-hit games. Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) led the team going 3-3 with two doubles.

Wilkes returns to action this Saturday, April 26 in a Landmark Conference doubleheader at Susquehanna University. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.