Baltimore, Md. – Playing for the first time in nearly two weeks, the
Robert Morris University softball lost to Siena and UMBC Saturday at UMBC Softball Field. The Colonials slip to 5-18 with the setbacks, 3-2 to the Saints (2-14) and 4-0 to the Retrievers (12-15).
Olivia Lorusso had the best day at the plate as she collected three hits, one a double, in six at bats. She also drew a walk giving a .571 on-base percentage for the day.
Natalie Higgins reached base four times in six plate appearances. She had a pair of singles and walked twice, going 2-of-4 in two games.
Abrielle McCartney added two hits, including a double, in six at bats.
Kaitling Ellzy allowed just one runner on a walk through the first three innings of the day's first game against Siena. An error in the fourth would eventually lead to a run for the Saintswhen Brooke Taylor singled in Madysen Cossack.
The Colonials answered immediately in the bottom of the frame. Higgins hit a one-out single to center field before Bunner followed with a double to left center to put runners on second and third.
Taryn Miller then put a ball into play to the right side that was mishandled and allowed both runners to score and gave RMU a 2-0 lead.
Trouble would strike again in the sixth inning. Ellzy walked the first batter of the inning before giving up a single to put runners on first and third.
Madison Riggle came in to relieve Ellzy, but a wild pitch allowed the tying run to come home. A sac bunt and a grounder up the middle plated the second run of the inning for the Saints as they held on for the 3-2 win.
In game two, starter
Laura Coulter was touched up for three runs in the second inning. Kelly Lane led off the frame with a solo shot to left center. The next batter reached on an error before Toni Santonastasso drove in another run with a double. That was followed up by a Jaclyn Buckley two-bagger that gave the Retrievers three runs in the frame. Riggle again came on in relief to get out of the jam.
Riggle finished the game with five innings pitched, allowing four hits and just one unearned run. That final score came in the fifth inning. UMBC starter Jessica Holte spun the shutout, scattering four hits over seven innings as she found the strike zone 50 times on 68 pitches. She had just one strikeout.
The Colonials take on these same two teams tomorrow, Sunday, March 26, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
