Baltimore, MD ? The Robert Morris University softball team took to the field on Friday and Saturday mornings as they participated in this weekend's UMBC Spring Classic.  After splitting a pair on Friday, the Colonials dropped a hard fought, 5-4, loss to the UMBC Retrievers at UMBC Softball Stadium.

On Friday, Robert Morris defeated Siena by a score of 6-0 in their opening game of the tournament.  Junior Megan Lynch (Brashear, Pa. / Shaler) blasted her first home run of the season to pace the Colonials in their shutout win with four RBI.

Freshman pitcher Alexa Bryson (Greensburg, Pa. / Greater Latrobe) recorded the win for RMU by notching a career high ten strikeouts.  Bryson did not allow a single walk in her fourth win of the 2009 season.

In the second game on Friday, Robert Morris struggled to keep up with Niagara as the Purple Eagles flew past the Colonials, 15-5.  Although RMU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, Niagara's bats came alive in the second half of the game scoring three runs in the fourth, two in the fifth, five in the sixth and tacking on another four in the bottom of the seventh.

Saturday morning's contest proved to be a better one for Robert Morris.  The Colonials scored one run in the first on a RBI groundout by freshman catcher Sarah Capp (McKees Rocks Pa. / Montour). Then RMU added two more in the fourth on a double by senior Stacy Davidson (Akron, Ohio / Springfield) and a single by shortstop Jaci Timko (Houston, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston) to take a 3-0 advantage.

With the score still tied at the top of the seventh, Timko hit a solo home run over the right field fence to put Robert Morris back on top.  However, the Retrievers got clutch two-out hitting in the bottom of the seventh to win the game, 5-4.

The Colonials will conclude their 2009 tournament schedule tomorrow afternoon with contests against St. Francis (Pa.) and Binghamton. On Wednesday, Robert Morris will return home to host a double header against the Bonnies of St. Bonaventure at 3:00 p.m.