Madeira Beach, Fla. – The Robert Morris University softball team opened the Eastern Michigan University Madeira Beach Invitational with a 2-0 loss against UMass Friday afternoon. It was the first game of the season for the Minuteman while the Colonials slip to 0-5 in the early portion of the season.
 
Sophomore Laura Coulter worked out of trouble all afternoon, spreading out eight hits and striking out four while stranding 11 UMass runners.
 
Coulter struck out consecutive batters looking to leave the bases loaded in the first inning. One inning later, she whiffed her fourth batter of the game to work out of another bases loaded jam.
 
Singles by Jordan Gurganus, Stacey Capp and Briana Bunner loaded the bases for Robert Morris in the third inning. Natalie Higgins made solid contact, but her fly ball to center field was tracked down and ended the RMU threat.
 
UMass ended the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. Candace Denis opened the fram with a slap single before stealing second and third. She ended up scoring on an infield single by Kaitlyn Stavinoha. In the sixth, Stavinoha reached first after getting hit by a pitch with two outs. A double by Tara Klee to left center allowed Stavinoha to score and make it a 2-0 game.
 
The Colonials return to play at 7:00 p.m. against Siena.