Moon Township, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University softball team concluded an eight-game road trip Saturday by splitting a pair of Northeast Conference road games in Loretto, Pa.
The Colonials dropped a 6-5 decision to Saint Francis U in the first game of a twin bill before rebounding to post a 12-4 victory in game two.
RMU owns an overall record of 10-25 (.286) in 2019, including a 3-3 (.500) mark in the NEC.
// GAME ONE // @ Saint Francis U // L, 6-5
A CLOSE AFFAIR
RMU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to freshman
Brittney Seibert, who drilled a two-run double to left center. The Red Flash (16-22 / 4-1 NEC) answered by plating a pair in the bottom of the second, then jumped in front, 5-2, by scoring three runs in the home half of the third.
BOUNCING BACK
Taylor Bartlow connected for Robert Morris in the top of the fourth inning, hitting her first home run of the year with a shot down the left field line to pull the Colonials to within 5-3. It was part of a solid day at the plate for the senior, who went 2-for-2 with three runs scored, an RBI, walk and sacrifice. RMU would tie it in the top of the sixth, 5-5, as Siebert smashed her first career home run with a two-run shot to center to knot the score. Siebert finished game one 3-for-3 at the plate with a run and four RBI.
HOME COOKING
Saint Francis U jumped back in front, 6-5, in bottom of the sixth thanks to a sacrifice fly from Sierra McKee, but the Colonials almost tied it in the top of the seventh. Junior
Natalie Higgins singled with one out and advanced to second on a passed ball and then third on a wild pitch.
Briana Bunner, who was hit by a pitch after the single from Higgins, gave Robert Morris the go-ahead run in scoring position. Christina Clark was able to strike out pinch hitter
Madison Riggle, however, to end the game.
// GAME TWO // @ Saint Francis U // W, 12-4
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
RMU established season highs in runs (12) and hits (17), using a seven-run second inning to take control. The Red Flash jumped on the board first in the bottom of the first, 1-0, but the Colonials sent 12 hitters to the plate in the top of the second, scoring seven runs on seven hits. Bartlow opened the frame with a walk and also drove in a pair with a single later in the inning. Also providing RBI base knocks for Robert Morris in the frame was
Abrielle McCartney, Higgins and Bunner.
FOUR-HIT AFTERNOON
Both Higgins and Bunner collected four hits in the second game of the doubleheader against the Red Flash. The duo each went 4-for-5 at the dish, with Higgins scoring three times and driving in four. She fell just a triple short of the cycle. Bunner scored a run and drove in another, while Bartlow went 2-for-3 in the win with four RBI. The offensive outburst made a winner out of
Laura Coulter, who allowed four runs in the complete-game effort. She walked one and struck out a pair.
ROOKIE AND VETERAN
Siebert combined to go 5-for-7 at the plate in the two games against SFU, scoring two runs and driving in five. She hit a pair of doubles and a home run. Higgins, meanwhile, was 5-for-9 on the day in the two contests and has now posted four multi-hit efforts in her last 12 games.
// ON DECK
Robert Morris opens an eight-game homestand Tuesday, April 9, 2019, with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader against Niagara at the North Athletic Complex. The Colonials also welcome Youngstown State Wednesday, April 10, also for a doubleheader that begins at 3:00 p.m.
Follow The Colonials: Twitter | Instagram
