MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Wilkes University softball team capped off its spring break trip to Myrtle Beach with a 7-1 record after picking up wins over Grove City College and Waynesburg University on Thursday afternoon.

Game 1: Wilkes 5, Grove City 2
In the opening game of the day, the contest remained scoreless through the first two innings as pitcher Audrey Rinda (Easton, PA/Easton Area) retired the first six batters she faced without allowing a hit.

The Colonels broke through in the top of the third inning. Hana Cross (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) reached base on a Wolverines error to start the rally, and Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/Lackawanna College) followed with a single to bring her home. Wilkes extended the lead to 2-0 on Talia Piragas' (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge) second hit of the game before loading the bases. Paige Randazzo (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) added a sacrifice fly to push the advantage to 3-0, and senior Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) delivered a two-RBI single through the left side, the 100th hit of her career, to cap the five-run inning.

Wilkes' defense continued to hold Grove City in check, but the Wolverines turned to Abigail Meadors in the circle in the fifth inning to slow the Colonels' offense. The move proved effective, as Wilkes managed just two hits through the fifth and sixth innings.

Grove City mounted a late push in the bottom of the sixth when Cora Meyers sparked a two-out rally with a two-RBI double through the left side to cut into the deficit. However, the Colonels quickly ended the threat by retiring the next batter.

Wilkes closed out the game without allowing another run, securing the 5-2 victory.

Rinda earned her second win of the season after throwing a complete game, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven. Ellie Day took her first loss of the season (1-1), pitching four innings and allowing five runs, two earned, on five hits.

Dougher and Piragas led the Colonels offensively. Dougher went 3-4 with a double, while Piragas finished 2-3 with a walk and added a defensive putout.

Game 2: Wilkes 5, Waynesburg 0
In the second game of the day, the Colonels secured another victory behind a strong offensive showing and a dominant pitching performance from Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton). Wilkes totaled 11 hits in the contest on its way to a 5-0 shutout of Waynesburg.

Both teams recorded one hit in the opening inning, but neither side was able to capitalize, leaving the game scoreless. The next two innings followed a similar pattern as Wilkes began to find its rhythm at the plate, recording four hits across the stretch but still unable to break through.

The Colonels finally broke the stalemate in the fourth inning. Butka and Hana Cross (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) each reached base with singles before Ally Stafursky delivered a two-RBI triple to the left-center field fence to put Wilkes on the board. A. Stafursky later came around to score on an RBI from Abby Williams (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer), extending the Colonels' lead to 3-0.

Wilkes added to its advantage in the fifth inning when Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) doubled down the right field line before advancing to third on a fly ball to left by Butka. Julia Kapitula (Mount Olive, NJ/Mount Olive) and Cross followed with back-to-back sacrifice flies to center field, bringing both runners home and pushing the lead to 5-0.

The Colonels' defense remained solid throughout the final innings, sealing the victory in emphatic fashion. In the closing moments, Dougher turned a key defensive play, recording the runner at third on a force before throwing to first to complete the inning-ending double play.

Butka earned her second shutout win of the season (2-0), facing 27 batters while allowing just six hits, striking out five, and issuing no walks. Emma Wear was charged with the loss for Waynesburg after pitching four innings and allowing five runs, four earned, on six hits and one walk.

Wilkes returns to action on Thursday, March 19, when the Colonels host Immaculata University for their home opener at the Ralston Athletic Complex. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., with game two set to begin at 6:00 p.m.