Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University softball team, under the direction of 19th year head coach Craig Coleman, announced its schedule for the 2009 season. After posting a 30-20 overall record in 2008, the Colonials hope to improve on their 15-3, second place finish in the NEC.
“We're looking forward to an exciting year of softball in 2009,” said Coleman. “Our tournaments in Greensboro, NC, Baltimore, MD, and in Florida should really test us before we start the Northeast Conference part of our schedule. Our young pitching staff will definitely benefit from the experience of facing so many challenging teams."
RMU will open the season with a trip to Greensboro, NC to play in the UNC-Greensboro Spartan Classic against Ohio University, Georgetown, Rider and the host team, UNC-Greensboro. The three day event will showcase the Colonials in four games.
The Colonials will continue tournament play in Clearwater, Fla. at the USF Under Armour Tournament. Participating teams include Western Michigan, Villanova and Boston University. Robert Morris will play a pair of games on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7, and will play an additional contest on Sunday, March 8.
Closing out the road trip, RMU will once again take part in the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Colonials will play eight games in a four day span against LaSalle, Eastern Kentucky, Valparaiso, IPFW, Bucknell, Butler, SIU-Edwardsville and Maine.
After competing in 17 neutral site games, Robert Morris will return to the North Athletic Complex to play in the inaugural game on their newly completed field. The Colonials will host cross-town rivals, Pittsburgh in a double feature on Tuesday, March 17.
However, the home stand will be a short one, as RMU will get back on the road to play in the five-game UMBC Spring Classic in Baltimore, Md. facing Siena, Niagara, UMBC, Saint Francis (Pa.) and Binghamton.
NEC action will finally commence in late March with match ups against Monmouth and Mount St. Mary's.
In the month of April, the Colonials will host six opponents at home: Kent State, Farleigh Dickinson, Sacred Heart, Akron, Long Island and Wagner. Also, the team will face another six opponents in road contests at Youngstown State, Central Connecticut, Quinnipiac, Saint Francis (Pa.), Cleveland State and Canisius.
In the final weekend of regular season play, Robert Morris will have a rematch of the 2008 NEC Championship game against rival, Long Island.
The NEC Championship Tournament is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, 2009.
"This year's team will have a really unique blend of veterans and newcomers,” added Coleman. “We have solid leadership from our five strong seniors, who will lead the way for us offensively and defensively. Yet our pitching staff is made up entirely of sophomores and freshmen. It should make for a very dynamic and I think successful season this year."
The Colonial softball squad will kick off the 2009 season on Friday, February 27, 2009 in Greensboro, NC when they will travel to participate in the UNC-Greensboro Spartan Classic against Ohio University at noon.
