Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University softball team kicked off NEC action in a sunny Saturday afternoon double header at the North Athletic Complex against Fairleigh Dickinson. The Colonials exploded offensively as they downed the Knights, 9-1, in the first game and, 17-1, in the second.
Now 2-0 in conference play and 8-9 overall, Robert Morris was lead by sophomore Jessica Calderone (Wilmington, Del / St. Marks) and junior Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) who combined for 11 RBIs. Calderone had three hits, including two doubles, while Dubovec had four singles and a home run.
In the opening game, the Knights grabbed a single run in the first. However, Robert Morris would fire back with four runs in the bottom of the frame and another four spot in the second inning. In the first, the Colonials tallied five hits, including two-RBI singles from Calderone and Sarah Capp (McKees Rocks, Pa. / Montour).
The second inning's scoring frenzy was highlighted by another pair of RBIs from Calderone when she doubled to right field.
To cap off the win, RMU added a final run in the bottom of the fifth to conclude the game thanks to the eight-run mercy rule.
In game two, the Colonials got back to work immediately after the Knights opened the game with a lead-off homer. In a four-run first inning, freshman Maritza Jimenez (Vineland, NJ / Vineland) recorded her first career home run as she sent a two-run blast over the left field fence.
Robert Morris followed up with another surge in the second inning as the squad batted around the order to tack on six more runs. Calderone and Capp kept their bats hot as both notched doubles in the frame. Senior Megan Picinic (Cliffside, NJ / Immaculate Heart) also batted in two runs with a single to deep right center.
Holding a 10-1 advantage going into the third, the Colonials continued to hit as Picinic singled again to pick up a pair of RBIs in back-to-back innings as she lead another four-run charge.
Finally in the bottom of the fourth, RMU closed out its impressive day with Dubovec's three-run blast to center field.
Tomorrow's twin bill against Monmouth will now begin at 10:00 a.m. due to forecasted weather conditions.
