RMU and Monmouth played six and one-half scoreless innings in Game One before Monmouth won it in the home half of the seventh while the Colonials opened up a 2-0 lead in the second game, but the Hawks were able to rally and pull it out.

Junior Alexa Bryson (Greensburg, Pa. / Latrobe Area) and freshman Geena Badolato (Mt. Lebanon, Pa. / Mt. Lebanon) each did their part in the circle as both threw a complete game while allowing one and two earned runs, respectively.

Junior outfielder Katrina Gallagher (Canonsburg, Pa. / Canon McMillan) had a team-high three hits on the day and added two RBI while freshman shortstop Cassie Show (Connellsville, Pa. / Connellsville) was on base three times as she went 2-for-4 with a walk and a sacrifice.

The first game was a pitchers' duel all the way. RMU was able to put a runner on second with one out in both the first and third innings after a single by Gallagher and a walk by Show led off each frame followed by a sacrifice.

Monmouth put together its only threat of the game in the third with consecutive two-out singles, one on a bunt, but Bryson found a groove and got the next batter to swing through strike three.

RMU tried to string together a two-out rally in the fifth when Show singled and senior Kayla Crooks (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Brashear) was hit by a pitch, but a popup ended the threat. Junior outfielder Allie Patton (Poland, Ohio / Poland) started the sixth off by using her speed to reach on an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice and to third on a groundout, but a lineout ended the chance. The Colonials put the go-ahead run on in the seventh with a one-out single but were unable to plate a run after a sacrifice.

Monmouth won the game with just its fourth hit of the afternoon on a walk-off home run by Emily Delong. Bryson was strong despite the defeat as she struck out seven without issuing a single free pass and threw an amazing 62 of her 78 pitches for strikes (79 %).

Robert Morris appeared to bounce back well in Game Two as it dialed up a threat in the first before scoring in the second. Redshirt junior Jessica Calderone (Wilmington, Del / St. Mark's) walked and senior Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) followed with a double to left center, but the Hawks got the last out to end the top half.

The Colonial freshmen got RMU started in the second as Chelsea Evans (Beaver Falls, Pa. / Riverside) walked before Chelsea Siar (Glenshaw, Pa. / Shaler Area) singled down the left field line. After both moved up on a flyout by Show that went all the way to the wall, Gallagher delivered a two-run single to center.

Monmouth got one back in the home half on two hits, a steal and an error before retaking the lead in the third. The Hawks loaded the bases with two outs without the benefit of a base hit but then got a single up the middle to go on top, 3-2.

Crooks drew a two-out walk in the fourth and then Gallagher reached with a single to give the Colonials the go-ahead run on base, but an unassisted groundout ended the inning.

The Hawks added an insurance run in the sixth with two outs courtesy of consecutive singles and a Colonial miscue.

Robert Morris appeared to have tied the game in the final frame as Patton and Calderone reached consecutively with one out in seventh and advanced to second and third on Dubovec's at bat. With two away, sophomore Maritza Jimenez (Vineland, N.J. / Vineland) lined a hard shot into right field that looked as if it could score both runners--however, with the ball hit so well, the rightfielder had a play and alertly threw the ball to first base for the final out.

Patton collected a pair of hits and a sacrifice Saturday while Badolato recorded six K's as part of her effort.

The Colonials will seek their first NEC wins of the year Sunday afternoon as they take on Fairleigh Dickinson, who has the best overall record in the conference. The first pitch of the doubleheader is now set for 1:00 p.m., a late adjustment to the start time as it was pushed back an hour.