West Long Branch, N.J. ? The Robert Morris University softball team opened Northeast Conference play on Saturday afternoon against the Hawks of Monmouth University. The Colonials upended the Hawks, 2-1, in the first game of the day, and fell 11-3 in the second.
In game one, freshman Jaci Timko (Houston, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston) and senior Susan Perich (Center, Pa. / Center) each posted a double and a RBI to lead Robert Morris to its first NEC triumph of the 2009 season.
Freshman pitcher Alexa Bryson (Greensburg, Pa. / Greater Latrobe) improved her record to an impressive 8-1 with the win. Bryson picked up 10 strikeouts while allowing just one walk and one run in route to her eighth victory.
In the top of the third inning, Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) singled down the left field line to reach base. Senior Lauren Nisivoccia (Nutley, NJ / Mount St. Dominic's) then followed with a sacrifice to move Dubovec to second. With a runner at second base, Timko doubled to left field to drive in Dubovec and take the 1-0 lead.
The Hawks then retaliated in the bottom of the first to tie the game at one. However in the top of the fourth, the Colonials would gain their second and winning run of the contest.
Freshman Allie Patton (Poland, Ohio / Poland), who went two-for-three in the first game, singled to center field to start off the inning. Much like the third inning, senior Brooke Panepinto (Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon) laid down a bunt to send Patton to second. Perich then smashed a double into left center to bring in the game winning run.
After a successful first endeavor, the Colonials struggled to shut down Monmouth's offense in the second outing of the afternoon. The Hawks put up one run in the bottom of the first and broke through with eight runs in the third. MU added its final two in the bottom half of the fourth.
The Colonials recorded their three scores by posting a single run in top of the third, fourth and fifth innings.
Tomorrow, Robert Morris will continue its opening NEC weekend at Mount St. Mary's with its second double feature in two days. The first game is scheduled to start at noon in Emmitsburg, Md.
