Moon Township, Pa. - On a cool and damp afternoon, the Robert Morris University softball team hosted non conference opponent, the University of Akron, for a twin bill at the North Athletic Complex. The Colonials were victorious in the first game 7-4, and fell 8-3 in the second contest.
The Zips put a quick run up in the top of the first. However, senior Susan Perich (Center, Pa. / Center) opened the scoring for Robert Morris in bottom of the inning as she led the Colonials to put seven runs on the board. With Jaci Timko (Houston, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston) and Brooke Panepinto (Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon) on base, Perich blasted a three-run shot over the center field fence to take a 3-0 lead.
The fourth run came on a long fly ball hit by Kayla Crooks (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Brashear) that allowed Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) to score. Back up for a second time that inning, Timko picked up an RBI with a bunt that brought in Kristin McDaniel (Yardley, Pa. / Pennsbury) to extend the lead to 5-1. Freshman Allie Patton (Poland, Ohio / Poland) then hit a single into left field to bring in the sixth and seventh runs.
Akron attempted to rally back by putting up two runs in the third and one in the fourth, but strong pitching from Alexa Bryson (Greensburg, Pa. / Greater Latrobe) would shut the Zip's effort down.
Bryson notched her 14th win of 2009 with the victory. She faced 28 batters, struck out five and walked one while allowing four runs in her complete game appearance.
In game two, Perich recorded her second round tripper of the day in the fourth as the Colonials faced a 3-0 deficit early in the contest. With Akron holding a 3-1 lead going into the top half of the fifth, the Zips then exploded with five runs to push their lead to 8-1.
The Colonials answered with two scores in the bottom of the fifth inning as junior Megan Lynch (Allison Park, Pa. / Shaler) doubled to bring in McDaniel. Senior Lauren Nisivoccia (Nutley, NJ / Mount St. Dominic) followed up with a huge triple to left center to score Lynch.
However, the Robert Morris effort would fall short as the Zips held on for the 8-3 win.
The Colonials return to NEC action on Saturday when they will travel to Saint Francis (Pa.) to tangle with the Red Flash in a double header at 1:00 p.m.
