Akron, Ohio - Playing its third road doubleheader in its third different state in four days, the Robert Morris University softball team suffered a pair of non-conference setbacks to Akron, 4-0 and 8-0 (5), Tuesday afternoon at Lee Jackson Field to close its six-game road trip.
Senior Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) pitched strongly in the defeats as she threw in both contests and did not allow a single earned run in six and two-thirds innings as she yielded just four hits and one walk during her time in the circle.
Freshman Chelsea Siar (Glenshaw, Pa. / Shaler Area) collected her seventh multi-hit game of the season in the opener as she went 2-for-3 while her classmate, Geena Badolato (Mt. Lebanon, Pa. / Mt. Lebanon), who has largely served as a pitcher for the Colonials, recorded her first collegiate hit in the nightcap when she singled to left to leadoff the third.
Akron took control early in both contests and plated four in the first in Game One courtesy of four consecutive one-out hits. After Dubovec entered, she was able to quiet the Zips' bats as she sent down the first seven she faced on four groundouts, two strikeouts and a flyout.
Robert Morris put runners on base in each of the first four frames and had its best opportunity in the fourth. Sophomore Maritza Jimenez (Vineland, N.J. / Vineland) doubled to right to start the inning before Siar delivered another opposite-field hit, sending Jimenez to third with no outs, but Akron was able to escape the threat.
RMU ended a potential Akron chance in the bottom half when Dubovec struck out the Zips' batter and freshman Chelsea Evans (Beaver Falls, Pa. / Riverside) gunned down to classmate Cassie Show (Connellsville, Pa. / Connellsville) at second to catch a runner trying to steal and complete an inning-ending double play.
Redshirt junior Jessica Calderone (Wilmington, Del / St. Mark's), junior Sarah Capp (McKees Rocks, Pa. / Montour) and junior Allie Patton (Poland, Ohio / Poland), the national leader in sacrifice hits per game, all collected hits in the opener, with Capp's being of the pinch-hit variety in the seventh inning.
The Zips again put together a strong opening frame in Game Two as they plated a trio of runs. While Akron continued to score, RMU was unable to generate much offensively and could not keep up with the hosts.
Robert Morris will now have a few days off to recharge as it will next be in action at Noon this Sunday, April 17. The Colonials, winners of five of their last six at home, will host a critical Northeast Conference doubleheader against Sacred Heart, who currently sits percentage points ahead of RMU in the league standings. As part of the day's games, Robert Morris will also be hosting its inaugural 'Beat Cancer with a Bat' event in an effort to raise funds for the National Foundation for Cancer Research.
