WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Wilkes improved to 15-13 overall and 4-6 in Landmark action after completing a weekend split against Lycoming College on Wednesday afternoon at the Shangraw Athletic Complex.

Game 1: Wilkes 8, Lycoming 9

The Warriors struck early in the opening inning, plating two runs on a pair of RBI singles to take the early advantage. Wilkes responded defensively in the second, as Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) retired the side in order to keep the deficit at two.

Lycoming extended its lead over the next two innings, adding four runs across the third and fourth to build a 6-0 cushion heading into the final three frames.

The Colonels answered in the fifth, as Butka and Audrey Rinda (Easton, PA/Easton Area) each delivered RBI doubles to left field to put Wilkes on the board. Rinda, who entered in relief, followed with a scoreless inning in the circle to keep the momentum with the Blue and Gold.

Wilkes continued to apply pressure in the sixth, beginning with a sacrifice fly from Hana Cross (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) to bring in another run. The Colonels then strung together three straight scoring plays, with RBIs from Talia Piragas (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge), Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/Lackawanna College), and Butka to even the score at six.

Lycoming responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs to regain a 9-6 lead heading into the final frame. Wilkes mounted one last push in the seventh, as Piragas and Maloney each drove in a run to cut the deficit to one, but the rally came up just short as the Warriors held on for a 9-8 victory in game one.

Butka (4-4) was charged with the loss, allowing five earned runs on seven hits over three innings. Piragas, Maloney, and Butka each recorded three hits and two RBIs to lead the Colonels offensively.

Sage Smeltz earned her sixth win of the season for Lycoming, pitching 6.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on 11 hits. Smeltz, Mallory Rodarmel, and Isabella Engle each collected three hits, with Engle driving in a team-high three runs.

Game 2: Wilkes 4, Lycoming 2

The Colonels struck first in game two, as Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/Lackawanna College) and give Wilkes an early 1–0 lead. The game quickly settled into a pitcher's duel, with both teams held scoreless over the next two innings.

Lycoming broke through in the fourth, using a four-hit inning to plate two runs and take a 2–1 advantage. Wilkes responded in the fifth, as Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) delivered an RBI single to bring home Hana Cross (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) and even the score at two heading into the late innings.

The Colonels continued to apply pressure, pushing across runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. Julia Kapitula (Mount Olive, NJ/Mount Olive) and Maloney each recorded RBI hits to give Wilkes a two-run cushion heading into the final frame.

Lauren DeMarco (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) closed the door in the seventh, retiring the side while allowing just one walk to secure the victory.

DeMarco improved to 4-5 on the season, tossing a complete game while allowing two earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Maloney, Butka, and Cross each recorded two hits to lead the Colonels offensively.

Isabelle Engels took the loss for Lycoming, pitching a complete game and allowing four earned runs on eight hits. Engels and Jocelyn McCracken paced the Warriors at the plate with two hits apiece.

The Colonels return to action on Saturday, April 18th for a doubleheader against Juniata at the Ralston Athletic Complex. Game times are set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.