Hackensack, NJ -  In the opening round of the 2010 NEC Softball Championships, the Robert Morris University softball team matched up against the top seeded, Long Island Blackbirds on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson.  The Blackbirds, the 2010 NEC regular season champions, put up a trio of runs in the first three innings to shutout the fourth-seeded Colonials, 9-0, in just five frames.

Sophomore pitcher Alexa Bryson (Greensburg, Pa. / Greater Latrobe) made the start for Robert Morris, but only lasted two innings as LIU tagged her for three hits and six runs.  Junior  Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls, Ohio  / Kenston) entered in the third and also allowed three runs and three hits.

NEC-Pitcher of the Year, Blaire Porter, held the Colonials to only three base runners.  Jaci Timko (Houston, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston) and Sarah Capp (McKees Rocks, Pa. / Montour) recorded the lone hits for the Colonials in the disappointing loss.

The Colonials will now face either Monmouth or Quinnipiac at 2:45 p.m. on Friday afternoon.