Youngstown, Ohio - The Robert Morris University softball team improved its overall record to 5-9 and ran its winning streak to four Wednesday night at McCune Park as they took a pair of games from Youngstown State (5-6), 2-1 and 8-1.
Senior first baseman Ashlee Smith (Mechanicsville, Va. / Lee-Davis) led the Colonial offense by going a combined 4-for-8 over the two games, including a 3-for-4 performance with four RBI in game two. Sophomore outfielder Brooke Panepinto (Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon) also went 2-for-4 with two RBI in game two while Lauren Nisivoccia (Nutley, N.J. / Mount St. Dominic) went a perfect 2-for-2.Â
Game one of the day turned into a pitching duel that saw RMU's Danielle Cohen (Marlton, N.J. / Cherokee) come out on top over YSU pitcher Karlie Burnell. Cohen pitched seven innings, giving up only three hits while allowing one run and striking out three. The Colonials scored in each of the top half of the first and third innings and never trailed in the contest. Smith drove in senior shortstop Jill Spargo (Warren, Pa. / Warren Area) in the top of the first with a single, while Nisivoccia scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the third on a throwing error.
Junior Brenna Reed (Carnegie, Pa. / Montour) got the victory for Robert Morris in the nightcap by pitching a complete game and allowing just one run on three hits while striking out a pair. The offense wasted no time giving Reed a cushion, as RMU plated two runs in the first, another in the third and three more in the fourth inning. Panepinto had an RBI single and Smith an RBI double in the first as the Colonials jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Smith added her second RBI double in the third inning, and Robert Morris plated three in fourth, including a home run to lead off the inning from junior Camille Kline (Titusville, Pa. / Titusville).
The Colonials return to action on Saturday, March 31 when they open Northeast Conference action by hosting Sacred Heart. Game one is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.
