EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – Due to a late game two rally, the Wilkes University softball team split with the Mighty Macs Tuesday evening at the Ralston Athletic Complex, moving to an 18-14 overall on the season, while Immaculata moved to 11-21.

Game 1: Wilkes 0, Immaculata 2
Audrey Rinda (Easton, PA/Easton Area) got the start in the circle for Wilkes, opening the game by retiring the Mighty Macs while allowing just one hit. Allyson Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View) recorded the Colonels' first hit of the contest and advanced into scoring position, but Wilkes was unable to capitalize, keeping the game scoreless after one inning.

The matchup quickly turned into a defensive battle, as both teams were held off the scoreboard through the next five innings.

Immaculata broke through in the top of the sixth, when Carlee Karcher delivered an RBI double to give the Mighty Macs the lead. They added an insurance run later in the inning to extend the advantage to 2-0 heading into the final two frames.

Wilkes was unable to generate a late rally, as the Colonels saw just seven batters over the final two innings and could not find the timely hit, falling 2-0 in game one.

Rinda (2-4) was charged with the loss despite a strong outing, pitching 5.1 innings while allowing two runs on four hits and striking out seven. Abby Williams (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer) led Wilkes at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double.

Nadia Bhuiyan earned the win for Immaculata, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing four hits. Karcher provided the difference with the go-ahead RBI double, while Madison Formica paced the Mighty Macs offensively with a 3-for-3 performance.

Game 2: Wilkes 7, Immaculata 2
Game two opened much like the first, with both teams held scoreless through the early innings.

Allison Sterner (Hawley, PA/Wallenpaupack Area) recorded the first extra-base hit of her career in the bottom of the third with a double and later advanced to third on a sacrifice fly from Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton), but Wilkes was unable to capitalize, keeping the game scoreless midway through.

Immaculata broke through in the top of the fourth, as Alexis Andrada launched a solo home run to center field to give the Mighty Macs a 1-0 lead. Tessa Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View) and the Colonels' defense limited further damage to keep the deficit at one.

Wilkes responded in the bottom of the fifth, when Dana Messner (Oley, PA/Oley Valley) worked a walk and came around to score on an RBI double down the left field line from Hana Cross (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick). Cross advanced to third, and Sterner moved into scoring position with a stolen base before Cross came home on a passed ball to give the Colonels to tie the game at two. Samantha Petersen (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) followed with a two-RBI double to extend the lead to 4-2.

The Colonels continued to build momentum, as Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) delivered a bases-clearing three-RBI double to right field to push the advantage to 7-2.

Immaculata attempted a late rally, but Lauren DeMarco (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) and the Wilkes defense held firm over the final two innings to secure a 7-2 victory in game two.

DeMarco improved to 7-5 on the season, allowing one run on four hits over three innings with three strikeouts. Dougher led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a team-high three RBIs, while Butka and Sterner each added two hits.

Sara Pierson was charged with the loss, allowing two runs in 0.1 innings. Formica paced Immaculata with a 3-for-4 performance and an RBI, while Andrada finished 2-for-3 with an RBI.

The Colonels return to action on Wednesday, April 22, where they travel to crosstown rivals King's College to take on the Monarchs for a non-conference doubleheader at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.