ANNVILLE, Pa. – Just one day removed from a split with the University of Scranton, the Wilkes University softball team hit the road for a non-conference tilt with Lebanon Valley College, falling to the Flying Dutchmen 11-3 in game one and 10-2 in game two. Both games ended in five innings.

Wilkes falls to 13-9 overall with the pair of losses, while Lebanon Valley improved to 13-13 on the year.

Game One – Wilkes 3, Lebanon Valley 11 (5 Innings)
The hosts drew first blood in the first with an RBI double to left center and tacked on two more in the second to take an early 3-1 lead.

With runners on first and second in the third, Maddy Maloney (Scranton, PA/Lackawanna College) put the Colonels on the board with an RBI single through the right side to plate Allison Sterner (Hawley, PA/Wallenpaupack Area). In the next inning, Mia Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) tied the game at three with a two-run blast to left center.

Two errors in the bottom of the fourth cost the Colonels big as the Flying Dutchman took the lead once again with two runs, one coming on a muffed throw at first base after another error put her in scoring position.

Six runs in the bottom of the fifth by the Dutchmen then ended the game in five, hitting the mercy rule.

Starting pitcher Tessa Stafursky (Eynon, PA/Valley View) (3-1) was handed her first loss of the season, allowing six runs (five earned) through 4.0 innings. At the plate, Maloney was the lone Colonel with multiple hits going 2-for-3 in the game, with Butka's home run giving her a pair of RBIs to lead the team.

Holly Grube (5-2) picked up the win in the circle for the Dutchmen, allowing three runs on seven hits in the complete game effort. Grube also led the offense going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Game Two – Wilkes 2, Lebanon Valley 10 (5 Innings)
Grube got things started for the Dutchmen in game two, stealing home on a throwing error. Two more runs in the bottom of the first put the Dutchmen up 3-0.

The Colonels' only runs of the game came in the top of the second, as Victoria Butler (Mountain Top, PA/Crestwood) hit the first home run of her collegiate career, a two-run blast to left field.
Lebanon Valley then scored seven unanswered to take game two 10-2 in five innings.

Butka (4-3) was given the loss, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits through two innings. Talia Piragas (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge) led the Colonels with two hits in two at-bats, with Butler batting in a team-high two runs with her homer.

Abby Reed (3-7) pitched the win for the Dutchmen, allowing two runs on five hits. Maddy Gronback led the hosts with three hits in as many at-bats.

Wilkes returns to the diamond this Saturday as they travel to face Haverford College this Saturday, April 11^th. First pitch against the Fords is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.