Clearwater, Fla. ? After capturing its first victory of the young 2009 season, the Robert Morris University softball team matched up against the Cardinals of Ball State on Sunday morning in the final day of play at USF's Under Armour Invitational.  Although the Colonials took a 2-0 lead into the sixth, the Cardinals tallied four late runs in route to a 4-2 win over RMU.

Sophomore Lindsey Moates (Ocala, Fla. / Forest) got the starting nod for the Colonials on the mound.  In her five innings of work, she allowed three runs and six hits.  Moates also picked up three strikeouts.  Sophomore Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) made another relief appearance as she notched one run on one hit while earning a single strikeout.

The Colonials got started early with leadoff hitter, Jaci Timko's (Houston, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston) single into center field.  Thanks to a sac bunt by Lauren Nisavoccia (Nutley, NJ / Mount St. Dominics), Timko was able to advance to second. The Cardinals then allowed a wild pitch and a pass ball as Timko reached home to put Robert Morris up 1-0.

In the second inning, senior Stacy Davidson (Akron, Ohio / Springfield) led off the inning with a deep shot into left center for her first double of the year.  Timko, back up to bat, blasted a triple into left field to bring home Davidson to extend the lead to 2-0.

For the next four innings, the Cardinals would hold RMU scoreless.  In the bottom of the sixth, Ball State came up big with two doubles, two singles and four runs to take a 4-2 advantage.

With just one chance remaining, Robert Morris failed to produce as BSU came up with three quick outs to seal its victory.

After one day of rest, the Colonials will travel to Orlando, Fla. to start play in the Rebel Games.  On Tuesday, RMU will take on La Salle at 11:00 a.m. in their opening contest.