Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – After scoring just nine runs in previous six games, the Lycoming College softball team broke out of its offensive slump in a big way on Thursday afternoon, April 3, at Wilkes University, posting a 10-5 win in the first game before coming from behind for a 9-8 win in the nightcap to notch a doubleheader sweep.
 
A six-run fourth inning helped the Warriors (7-8 overall) break open the first game of the doubleheader, as it withstood a late Wilkes (2-14 overall) rally for a 10-5 win.
 
After each team went scoreless for the first three frames, the Warriors exploded for six runs off three hits, three walks and an error in the inning. Sophomore Dominique Thomas (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) led off with a walk before sophomore Kristi Weaver (Milton, Pa./Milton Area) singled up the middle. After a fielder's choice and a passed ball moved the runners to second and third with one out, back-to-back walks of junior Kali Moeller (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) and sophomore Ashley Burger (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville Area)  scored the first run of the game.
 
After a pop out, junior Katie Pugh (Sykesville, Md./Century) walked to score another run before junior Nikki Marianelli (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge) singled to center field to score runs. Sophomore Ashley Witmer (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor) followed with another two-RBI single to complete the six-run rally.
 
In the sixth inning, the Warriors added two more runs to take an 8-0 lead, with Pugh starting a rally with a single to right center with one out. Marianelli followed with a bunt single and Witmer was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After a fielder's choice, Weaver singled to score a run and a fielding error allowed Witmer to score.
 
The Colonels avoided the run-rule, though, scoring five runs in the bottom of the inning, with Emily McGrath providing the big blow with a three-run homer.
 
In the top of the seventh, the Warriors added two more runs, as Moeller singled to lead off, moved to third on a single by junior Caroline Lapano (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) and scored on a fielder's choice. An error helped Lapano score to round out the scoring.
 
Marianelli went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI and Witmer went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI, as the team knocked out 11 hits. Weaver and Moeller each also posted two hits, with Moeller also scoring twice.
 
Wilkes knocked out six hits, as Weaver (4-4) fired a complete game six-hitter, allowing just one earned run. Alysha Bixler (1-6) took the loss for the Colonels, as she allowed six hits and five earned runs in four innings. She struck out two and walked five.
 
Down by five runs in the second game, the Warriors stormed back, using a six-run sixth inning to lift it to a 9-8 win to secure the sweep.
 
The Warriors started the rally in the fifth inning, as Weaver homered to center field to make it 7-3. In the sixth, the Warriors rallied, as Marianelli walked to lead off before Witmer doubled. Thomas followed with a walk to load the bases before a strikeout. Weaver walked to score Marianelli and freshman Morgan Kunes (Beech Creek, Pa./Central Mountain) singled to score a run and make it 7-5. An error helped score Thomas and then a wild pitch helped score Weaver to tie the game. After a strikeout, sophomore Chelsey Poorman (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) provided the big blow with a  single up the middle to score two runs and make it 9-7.
 
Wilkes drew within a run after a homer by Alex Hoops in the sixth inning, but Weaver (5-4) settled in to not allow another runner past first base the rest of the way to close the door.
 
The Colonels scored three runs in the top of the first to take an early lead. The Warriors scored two runs to close within a run in the third inning, as Weaver and Kunes walked to lead off. A flyout moved the runners up before sophomore Elisa Novak (Ambler, Pa./Germantown Academy) doubled to left-center to score both runners.
 
However, the Colonels scored two runs in the bottom of the third and two more in the fourth to grab a 7-2 lead before Lycoming mounted its comeback.
 
Weaver led the Warriors with three runs and two RBI and Kunes scored two runs. Both Novak and Poorman posted two RBI.
 
Jordan Borger led the Colonels with a 3-for-5 effort, two runs and a homer. Jenna Graziano also posted two hits and a RBI.
 
Weaver picked up the win in relief, allowing one hit and one run in three innings of relief. She struck out one. Haylie Phillips (1-3) allowed five hits and seven earned runs in the loss for the Colonels. She struck out three and walked six.
 
The Warriors get back on the field on Saturday, April 5, when they head to Widener for a 1 p.m. Commonwealth Conference doubleheader.