MADISON, N.J. – The Wilkes University softball team dropped to 9-5 overall and 1-3 in Landmark Conference play after falling to Drew in both games of Sunday's doubleheader. The Rangers improved to 14-6 overall and remained unbeaten in conference action at 4-0.

Game 1: Wilkes 2, Drew 4
Allyson Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View) opened the game with a single up the middle, but Wilkes was unable to capitalize as Drew pitcher Gabby Duran retired the side. Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) answered in the circle for the Colonels, setting the Rangers down in order to keep the game scoreless through the first inning.

Wilkes struck first in the second inning when Stafursky drove in a run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving the Colonels a 1-0 lead. The defense remained strong behind Butka, who again retired the side without allowing a hit.

The Colonels added to their lead in the fourth inning when Butka helped her own cause, blasting her second home run of the season over the left field fence to make it 2-0. She continued to dominate in the circle, recording her 12th out of the game as Wilkes carried a two-run advantage into the fifth.

Drew responded in the bottom of the fifth, stringing together timely hits. Izzy Weimer singled before Olivia Magliacano doubled to put runners in scoring position. Lorelei Lorenzo tied the game with a two-RBI single, and Megan Williams followed with an RBI double to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead.

Wilkes threatened in the sixth, loading the bases, but Kaitlynne Streets worked out of the jam to preserve the lead. Drew added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning to extend its advantage to 4-2.

The Colonels put pressure on in the seventh, placing the tying run on second, but Streets recorded the final out to secure the win.

Butka (2-2) took the loss, pitching five innings while allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Stafursky and Butka each led Wilkes offensively, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Duran earned her fourth win of the season for Drew, tossing five innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. Streets picked up her first save, pitching the final two innings.

Game 2: Wilkes 1, Drew 2
Both teams remained scoreless through the first two innings as Lauren DeMarco (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) allowed just one hit while retiring six of the first seven batters she faced.

Wilkes broke through in the third inning when Hana Cross (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) tripled down the right field line. Stafursky followed with an RBI single to give the Colonels a 1-0 lead.

Drew answered immediately in the bottom of the inning, as Haley Meierhofer delivered a two-RBI double to put the Rangers ahead 2-1.

The Colonels stayed within striking distance thanks to DeMarco, who settled in and retired six consecutive batters heading into the sixth inning. Wilkes threatened with a two-out rally in the sixth, as Talia Piragas (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge) reached base and Samantha Petersen (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) followed with a single, but the Rangers escaped without allowing a run.

In the seventh, Wilkes made one final push. After two quick outs, Paige Randazzo (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) singled to keep the game alive. Brylie Ketterer (Birdsboro, PA/Twin Valley) entered as a pinch runner and advanced to second on a hit by Cross, but Drew recorded the final out to complete the sweep.

DeMarco (2-2) went the distance in the circle, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out five and issuing no walks.

Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/Lackawanna College) and Cross paced the offense with two hits apiece, while Stafursky recorded the lone RBI.

Allie Probansky (4-2) earned the win for Drew, allowing just one run on seven hits over seven innings. Magliacano led the Rangers at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, while Meierhofer accounted for both RBIs.

Wilkes returns to action on Monday, March 30, traveling to Chester, Pa. for a doubleheader against Widener University. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., with game two to follow at 6:00 p.m.