WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 12, 2022) -- In their MAC Freedom doubleheader sweep over cross-town rival Wilkes University, the King's College softball team held the Colonels scoreless across two games, posting a 9-0 win in five innings in game one before earning the 2-0 win in game two. The Monarchs improve to 13-6 overall and 5-3 in MAC Freedom play, while the Colonels fall to 10-10 with a 1-7 conference mark.

Game 1 - W, 9-0 (5 Innings):
King's (3-6, 5-3 MAC Freedom) took the early lead as they struck in the bottom of the first before exploding for eight runs in the fourth to earn the dominant 9-0 win in five innings.

A single through the left side to start the inning from sophomore Kiersten Krouse led to a stolen base to put the runner in scoring position. A double to left center from senior Lindsey Leppo plated the first run of the game to give the Monarchs the 1-0 lead.

After two quick defensive innings, King's tallied eight runs on just two hits in the bottom of the fourth. Graduate student Morgan Briggs singled up the middle to spark the offense before four straight walks by the Wilkes (10-10. 1-7 MAC Freedom) pitching staff saw two King's runs cross. After a pitching change, junior Olivia Krupski singled through the left side to drive in two runs. A Colonels error allowed two more runs to score before an attempt to pick off a stealing junior Bailey Loyack failed to tally another run to the scoreboard. A wild pitch allowed Loyack to score safely as King's took the daunting 9-0 lead after four innings of play.

A three-up-three-down inning for the Monarchs that featured two strikeouts from sophomore Brandi McIntosh secured the shortened win, 9-0, over the Colonels in game one.

Five different Monarchs recorded a hit in the win, while junior Olivia Krupski drove in a team-best two runs while scoring once.  Both Leppo and junior Hannah Farr went 1-for-1 at the plate with a run and an RBI. McIntosh threw a gem in the opener as she threw all 5.0 innings, allowing just two hits and striking out six with no walks.

Haylee Calaman and Jessica Smith recorded the hits for Wilkes in the loss. Hope Mullins was awarded the loss as the starter in the circle, giving up six earned runs on four hits in 3.0 innings pitched.

Game 2 - W, 2-0:
The night cap started out strong offensively for the Monarchs before both defenses settled in to post the 2-0 final in favor of King's.

Krouse got on to start the game as she was hit by a pitch before using her speed to score on a double to left center from Leppo as she advanced to third on the throw to home.. A sacrifice bunt drove in Leppo as King's held the 2-0 advantage.

Neither team was able to string together offense in the final innings of play as they both finished with four hits total in the game as the Monarchs earned the 2-0 win in the MAC Freedom contest at Betzler Field on Tuesday afternoon.

Leppo led King's as she went 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI, and a stolen base in the win. Farr and first year Harley Sullivan also recorded hits for King's in the win. First year Emily Novicki threw the complete 7.0 inning-shutout for the win, allowing just four hits and striking out five.

Four different Colonels posted hits in the loss. Rhia Aurand recorded the loss in 6.0 innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits.

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King's is slated to be back on the diamond on Thursday, April 14 in non-conference play as they travel to Susquehanna University for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch in Selinsgrove, Pa.