RMU @ Howard
Saturday, March 6, 2021 • Noon
Sunday, March 7, 2021 • Noon
Nationals Youth Academy • Washington, D.C.
 
Cracker Jack & Sunflower Seeds
 
- The RMU softball team concludes the non-conference portion of its 2021 schedule with a pair of road doubleheaders this weekend in Washington, D.C., against Howard at Nationals Youth Academy. The Colonials and Bison meet Saturday and Sunday, with first pitch for each day slated at Noon.
 
- The Colonials opened their season with a pair of doubleheader sweeps at North Carolina Central last weekend. RMU opened a season 4-0 for the first time 2014 by outscoring the Eagles, 34-11, in the four games.
 
- In the final three games of the series at North Carolina Central, the Colonials scored 10 runs in each game. It marks the first time since 1997 RMU has reached double figures in runs in three consecutive contests.
 
- Senior Alaina York was one of five Colonials to start each of RMU's first four games of the season, hitting .400 (6-for-15) with three runs, a double and four RBI. She produced an on-base percentage of .438, tops for the Colonials, and was also successful on her only stolen base attempt.
 
- In her second collegiate at bat, freshman Catalina Saxen went yard, hitting a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning in the season opener, a 4-0 win for RMU. In the four games, the rookie hit .385 (5-for-13) with a team-high five runs, two doubles, four RBI and a .769 slugging percentage.
 
- From the circle, junior Dana Vatakis went 2-0, producing a pair of complete-game efforts. She allowed 10 hits and four earned runs while walking a pair and striking out six. The Eagles hit just .196 against Vatakis in her two starts.
 
- The Colonials return seven starters from the 2020 campaign, including graduate students Natalie Higgins and Madison Riggle, who return after having their senior seasons cut short.
 
- RMU returns home to the North Athletic Complex after taking on the Bison this weekend. The Colonials will open their first season in the Horizon League with a pair of home doubleheaders against Detroit Mercy Friday, March 12, and Saturday, March 13.
 
The Middle – Rookies adjusted well in the opening weekend of the 2021 season for RMU, as the seven student-athletes making their NCAA Division I debut at North Carolina Central combined to hit .278 (10-for-36) while compiling 14 runs and nine RBI. The freshman class also hit for the cycle, producing a pair of doubles (Catalina Saxen), a triple (Kinsey Ventura) and a pair of home runs (Saxen, Charlotte Grover).
 
Speed Speed Speed – RMU was a factor on the basepaths in starting 4-0 with road victories over North Carolina Central. The Colonials were successful on nine of their 10 stolen base attempts, with eight different student-athletes recording at least one steal. Freshman Julia Ehrman led the way for RMU with a pair of thefts and in four games scored three while runs while singling in her lone official at bat.
 
On The Offensive – RMU scored 10 runs in each of its final three games at North Carolina Central, outscoring the Eagles during that stretch, 30-11. The Colonials improved to 7-1 under third-year head coach Jexx Varner when scoring at least 10 runs in a game, including four consecutive victories.

Photo Credit: North Carolina Central University

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