WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes University softball team improves to 13-5 overall and 3-5 in the Landmark action after earning a series split against the Royals on home dirt this Wednesday evening. Scranton moves to a 14-9 season and 3-5 in conference play following tonight's split.

Game 1: Wilkes 1,  Scranton 3
Lauren DeMarco (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun) got the start in the circle for Wilkes and delivered a strong opening inning, retiring three batters with two strikeouts and a pop-up while issuing just one walk. Scranton's Emma Douglas matched her early, setting down the first three Colonels to keep the game scoreless.

The pitchers settled in from there, as the game turned into a duel through the first four innings. Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/Lackawanna College) recorded Wilkes' first hit with a single up the middle in the bottom of the fourth, but the Colonels were unable to capitalize as Douglas worked out of the inning.

Scranton broke through in the top of the sixth, when Celia Totaro scored on an RBI single from Daniela Brescia to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. DeMarco limited further damage by recording the final two outs, and Wilkes responded in the bottom half. Maloney drew her second walk of the game and advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt before Samantha Petersen (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) delivered an RBI single to left-center to tie the game at one.

The Colonels threatened again in the seventh, putting two runners on base after Abby Williams (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Holy Redeemer) singled and Paige Randazzo (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) worked an 11-pitch walk. With runners in scoring position, Wilkes looked poised to take the lead, but a diving defensive play by Mollie Ferreira ended the inning and forced extra innings.

Both teams went down in order in the eighth before Scranton delivered the decisive blow in the ninth. With two outs, Quin Doherty launched a two-run home run to give the Royals a 3-1 advantage. Wilkes attempted to answer in the bottom half, as Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton), but Scranton recorded the final two outs to secure the 3-1 victory.

DeMarco took the loss, tossing a complete-game nine innings while allowing three runs and striking out five. Maloney led Wilkes offensively, reaching base twice and scoring the team's lone run.
Douglas earned the win for Scranton, throwing a complete game with one unearned run allowed and seven strikeouts. Doherty provided the difference, going 1-for-3 with the go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth.

Game 2: Wilkes 6,  Scanton 5
In game two, Audrey Rinda (Easton, PA/Easton Area) took the circle and quickly retired the top of the Royals' lineup. Wilkes responded just as fast at the plate, erupting for four runs on four hits in the opening inning to take an early 4-0 lead. Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/Lackawanna College) sparked the rally with an infield single before advancing to second, and Talia Piragas (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge) followed with an RBI double to center to score the first run. Talia Piragas (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge) later crossed the plate on an RBI single from Samantha Petersen (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley), and Olivia Dougher (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) capped the inning with a two-run home run to center field, her first of the season. Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) and Julia Kapitula (Mount Olive, NJ/Mount Olive) added hits to round out the strong opening frame.

Rinda kept Scranton in check through the second, but the Royals broke through in the third when Alli Babino scored on an RBI double from Celia Totaro. With the bases loaded later in the inning, the Colonels' defense held firm to limit the damage to just one run.

Wilkes carried a 4-1 lead into the fourth, but Scranton surged ahead as Gianna Muliero delivered a bases-clearing three-RBI hit to give the Royals a 5-4 advantage. Maloney attempted to spark a response with a walk, but the Colonels were unable to capitalize in the inning.

Tessa Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View) entered in the fifth and made an immediate impact, retiring the side to keep Wilkes within one. Dougher led off the bottom half with a single, and after two quick outs, the Colonels rallied. Kapitula delivered an RBI double to tie the game, and Hana Cross (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) followed with another RBI double to give Wilkes a 6-5 lead.

The Colonels held onto that advantage over the final two innings to secure the comeback victory and complete the doubleheader sweep of the Royals.

Stafursky earned her fourth win of the season, tossing a scoreless inning, while Butka picked up her first win after closing out the final two frames. Dougher led Wilkes offensively, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Kapitula added a 2-for-2 performance with an RBI.

For Scranton, Emma Douglas took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits in three innings. Alli Babino led the Royals at the plate, going 2-for-3, while Muliero finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs.

Wilkes will look to extend its win streak as it travels to Lebanon Valley College for a doubleheader Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.