The Misericordia University baseball team took the first two games of a three-game series against Wilkes University, 5-1 and 5-3, Saturday afternoon at Volpe Field in Scranton, PA.

Steve Weisensee and Billy Kerwien led the way for the Cougars' offense in both games. Weisensee had a combined two hits, two RBI, two runs, two walks and a stolen base while Kerwien was 4-for-5 at the plate with two RBI.

Ian McCole threw a seven-inning complete game in the opener to pick-up his conference-best fourth win of the season. The sophomore struck out seven batters, surrendered just five hits and didn't allow an earned run to lower his season ERA to 2.05.

The Colonels got on the board first when Nicholas Capozzi scored on an error to take a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first inning. However, Misericordia quickly took the lead with a couple runs in the bottom of the inning.

Kenny Jarema got things started with a lead-off walk and advanced to second base on a Parker Abate sacrifice bunt. After stealing third base, Jarema was brought home by a Weisensee single to center field. Weisensee scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly from Santo Guinta to put the Cougars up 2-1.

Misericordia added three more insurance runs in the sixth inning. Weisensee led off the frame with a double through the gap in right center field, which was followed by an RBI double from Tyler Holzapfel. The junior first baseman scored on two passed balls while Kerwien provided the team's other run with an RBI single to score Guinta, who reached base with a walk.

Tom Jacob got the ball in the second game of the double header. The sophomore starter surrendered one earned run and struck out five batters in five innings of work.

The Cougars scored two runs in the second inning to take an early lead. Guinta led off the inning with a double and later scored on a Sean Lyons triple to right-center field. Sean Boylan then singled to right field to provide Misericordia with its second run.

Wilkes added a run in the third inning, but Jacob was able to navigate his way through a bases loaded, no out jam to minimize damage. Jacob struck out two batters swinging while Guinta provided the second out with a heads-up play to tag home on a safety squeeze.
 
The Cougars expanded their lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning. Shane Hughes singled to left field and was moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Lyons. Kerwien then singled to left center in the following at bat to bring Hughes home.

Kyle Melahn entered the game for Misericordia after Wilkes got their first two runners on base to begin the sixth inning. The senior closer retired his first two batters, but allowed both inherited runners to score on a pinch-hit single from Bryan Nifenecker to tie the game at 3-3.

The Cougars responded in the bottom of the frame with two runs. Kerwien singled to open the inning and Boylan and Jarema each walked to load the bases with one out. Dalton Emerich, who pinch ran for Kerwien, scored on a Weisensee walk, while Holzapfel brought home Jarema with a sacrifice fly.

Melahn struck out the side in the seventh inning to end the ball game. The side-armer struck out five of the eight batters he faced to pick up the win for Misericordia.

The Cougars improved to 10-5 overall with a 2-0 MAC Freedom mark. Misericordia and Wilkes will wrap up its three-game series tomorrow at Volpe Field.