EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – The Wilkes University baseball team opened the regular season at Bruggeworth Field Saturday afternoon, defeating Lebanon Valley College 10-4 in front of the home crowd.

Wilkes' defense held firm in the top of the first inning, keeping the Dutchmen off the scoreboard with the bases loaded. Jack Mathis (Exeter PA/Wyoming Area) drove in the season's first run in the bottom of the first with an RBI single, and he was then brought home by Jeremiah Atwell's (Eastlake, OH/Willoughby South) single down the right field line to make it 2-0 Colonels.

The Dutchmen got on the board in the second with an RBI groundout off the bat of Owen Berry, before Michael Sabella (Cornelius, NC/Hough) doubled the Colonel scoreline with a two RBI single up the middle to push the lead to 4-1.

Wilkes loaded the bases in the fourth as Nathan Loch (Effort, PA/Pleasant Valley) reached on a bunt, and Matt Show touched home on a double play to make the game 5-2. Wilkes broke the game wide open in the sixth inning, as Show scored on a throwing error, Devin Markert (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) smacked an RBI triple to third, Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) hit a sacrifice fly, and Mathis scored on a wild pitch to plate four runs and make it a 9-2 contest.

Lebanon Valley added two more runs in the seventh with a Devin Kregger double to left center, but Wilkes added the final insurance run as Evan Melberger (West Pittston, PA/Wyoming Area) reached home on a sacrifice fly to create the final 10-4 scoreline. Ethan Grodack (Lake Ariel, PA/Western Wayne) sealed the deal in relief with two scoreless innings, allowing just three hits.

Ma. Show led the Colonels at the plate going 4-for-5 on the day, with Sabella driving in a team-high two RBIs. AJ Levandoski (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) earned the pitching decision for Wilkes, allowing only two hits with four strikeouts.

Spencer Butz led LVC going 2-for-3 at the plate, with Kregger matching Sabella with two RBIs. Starting pitcher Aidan Bilder was given the loss allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits.

Wilkes returns to the diamond for their final game before spring break on Thursday, February 26 as they host The College of New Jersey. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.