Spartanburg, S.C. – The
Robert Morris University softball team finished off the Wings Etc. Classic with a pair of losses to host USC Upstate, 5-1 and 8-0 (6), at Cyrill Field Monday. The Colonials slip to 2-6 while the Spartans, picked to finish second in the Big South, move to 10-1 on the year.
// GAME ONE // AT USC UPSTATE // L, 1-5 //
// Rounding the Bases
For the second straight game, Alyssa Oakes was a thorn in the Colonials side. The clean-up hitting catcher went 2-for-3 and launched a two-run bomb to center field in the bottom of the first that staked the host Spartans to the only runs they would need. Sarah Price picked up RBIs in the second and the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly and a single while Alicia Dorgan's solo homer accounted for Upstate's fifth run. The Colonials run came in the top of the fifth on
Natalie Higgins' bases loaded fielder's choice that pushed home
Kaitlyn Clark.
// The Batter's Box
Abrielle McCartney,
Madison Riggle and
Bridget Guiney accounted for the Colonials three hits in the contest, all singles. Clark had a stolen base and scored the team's lone run on Higgins fielder's choice.
Oakes went 2-of-3 for the host squad with a double and a homer. Dorgan also had two hits and a pair of runs scored to go with a homerun and a triple. Makenna Helton tacked on two hits for the Spartans and stole two bases.
// Inside the Circle
Erin Hill improved to 3-1 for the Spartans with the complete game victory. She scattered three hits and struck out five while allowing just the one earned run.
Katie Gasvoda was saddled with the loss in the first start of her young career. The rookie went six innings, allowing nine hits and five earned runs. She set down three batters on strikes.
// GAME TWO // AT USC UPSTATE // L, 0-8 (6) //
// Inside the Circle
For the second straight day, Christina Biggerstaff held the Robert Morris bats in check. The All-Big South pick from last season allowed just one hit and struck out seven to pick up her sixth victory, against no losses, of 2019. She threw 53 of her 73 pitches for strikes. For the Colonials,
Laura Coulter slipped to 0-3, going 5 2/3 innings while allowing 10 hits and was charged with six earned runs.
// Rounding the Bases
For the third time in as many games, USC Upstate took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Brittany Case knocked in Price and then Oakes hit her third homer, a solo shot, of the three game series. A trio of errors combined with five hits led to a five run fourth inning for the Spartans. A pair of throwing errors accounted for two runs while Megan Obier and Kristen Wright picked up RBIs on the other runs. Upstate invoked the mercy rule in the sixth inning when Price doubled to right center allowing Helton to score.
// The Batter's Box
Helton and Price each had three hits in the nightcap – which started just before Noon. They also each scored twice and were responsible for knocking in a run. Oakes collected her third homer of the series as the Spartans collected 10 hits as a team. Guiney had the lone RMU hit and was the only Colonials player with multiple hits on the day.
// ON DECK
Robert Morris is scheduled to take on five different teams next weekend at the Liberty Spring Classic from March 1-3 in Lynchburg, Va. Play begins with Rutgers and Liberty on Friday, followed by contests with Cleveland State and Quinnipiac Saturday before a non-conference game against NEC-foe Sacred Heart on Sunday.
