WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 27, 2024) – Continuing an impressive unbeaten run in Landmark play, Susquehanna softball traveled to Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon and took a crucial sweep of both games, upping their tally to seven-straight conference victories as they won the first game 5-1 and won the second 4-2. Fantastic pitching proved to be critical for the River Hawks as they held the hosts to just three combined runs in the two contests.
Game 1: Susquehanna 5, Wilkes 1
Fresh off of a brilliant midweek performance that saw her strike out 12 batters in a win over York (PA), Brianna Jones took the circle for SU again and tossed another gem, earning her 12th win of the season while throwing her 16th complete game, allowing just one run on five hits and striking out eight batters, bringing her season total to a Landmark-leading 82.
With Jones keeping the Colonels' offense in check, Susquehanna was able to claim an early lead. Lexi Palumbo would score in the top of the 1st after reaching on a two-out single and coming home to score on an error, the first of two runs she would score as she racked up a 3 for 4 performance at the plate. Wilkes would get that sole run in the bottom of the 1st on a solo shot, but the River Hawks wasted no time in reclaiming their advantage in the top of the 2nd. Jones helped her own cause with a sacrifice fly to pick up an RBI, scoring Nicole Plesh. The lead grew to three runs in the top of the 3rd thanks to the bat of senior Nicole Wuertz, who launched her first home run of the season over the right field fence, scoring Palumbo and herself and making the score 4-1.
The last run came in the top of the 5th, as Zoe Bork hit a one-out double before switching places with Emily Deitch, who hit a double of her own to earn the RBI and set the final score of 5-1. Jones continued to mow down the Wilkes batters, never looking in any danger of allowing a comeback.
Game 2: Susquehanna 4, Wilkes 2
Much more of a pitchers' duel in game two, neither team scored a run until the 5th inning, when the River Hawks broke through with three runs, ultimately proving to be the deciding frame of the game. Hannah Foust started the game for the River Hawks, tossing the first two innings of scoreless ball while giving up two hits and striking out two batters. Amanda Amerman entered in relief to continue the duel with Wilkes' Lauren DeMarco, ultimately earning the win after throwing 5.0 innings, giving up just two runs on five hits, managing to fan six batters as well.
Palumbo was the catalyst for SU once more, racking up another three-hit game to finish the doubleheader a combined 6 for 8. The run in the 5th began with Hailey Kaba, who hit a one-out double to left field. Kaylee Smallen would follow with a walk, but a lineout to follow threatened to end the scoring chance. But Jones came to the plate and was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, and Emily Deitch broke the deadlock with an RBI single. Palumbo followed with a double to left field that plated two more runners, upping her doubles count on the season to 10.
Wilkes once again flexed their power hitting to get back into the game, hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the 6th, but Amerman slammed the door with back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning with the lead intact. SU got some insurance back in the top of the 7th as Deitch picked up her second RBI single of the game, plating Stevie Shaak to make the score 4-2. The Colonels managed one hit in the bottom of the 7th, but Amerman once again kept them under control with a pair of pop outs and a strikeout to end the game and seal the sweep.
Now 18-16 overall and 8-6 in the Landmark, the River Hawks sit firmly poised in the playoff picture, currently holding the third seed in the conference standings. They'll wrap up the regular season at home in a week's time, hosting local rivals Lycoming for a conference doubleheader and a chance to continue their unbeaten streak in the Landmark. The games will be played at 1 and 3 pm.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
