The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team dropped a pair of games to visiting Robert Morris on Sunday afternoon at FDU Softball Field. The Knights fell 16-0 in five innings in the first game and dropped an 8-1 decision in the second game. The three seniors: Hope Hilman (Bremerton, WA/Olympic) (Bremerton, WA), Ashley Buchanan (West Windsor, NY/West Windsor) (West Windsor, NY) and Jennifer Boldman (Winter Haven, FL/Winter Haven) (Winter Haven, FL) were honored in senior ceremonies prior to the first pitch.
Jessica Calderon (Wilmington, DE) led off the game with a home run directed to left center field. Lauren Nisivoccia (Nutley, NJ) took first on an error and scored on a single to center field by Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls, OH).
A single by Camille Kline (Titusville, PA) plated two more runs to give RMU a 4-0 lead. A double by Kristin McDaniel (Yardley, PA) gave the Colonials a 5-0 run heading into the bottom of the inning.
The Colonials added two more runs in the top of the third inning and seven in the top of the fourth. With two more added to the board in the fifth inning, Robert Morris was able to end the game in five innings, 16-0.
Calderone finished 2-for-4, McDaniel was 3-for-3 with three RBI and Susan Perich (Center, PA) was 3-for-3 with three RBI.
Brenna Reed (Carnegie, PA) earned the shutout on the mound for the Colonials, pitching a one-hitter and striking out five. Ashley Buchanan (West Windsor, NY/West Windsor) (West Windsor, NY) took the loss for the Knights, allowing six earned runs. Nicole Nelson (Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) (Oakland, NJ) pitched two-thirds of an inning and Brittany Sheppard (Mahwah, NJ/Paramus Catholic) (Mahwah, NJ) pitched one inning.
Stacy Davidson (Akron, OH) had an RBI single in the second inning to give Robert Morris a 1-0 lead in the second game.
The Knights tied things up in the third inning as Justina Augustine (Geneva, NY/Geneva) (Geneva, NY) smacked a single down the right line and advanced to third. Meghan Doherty (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton)'s (Binghatmon, NY) single plated her to knot the score.
A three-run home run in the fifth inning from Brooke Panepinto (Belle Vernon, PA) gave RMU a 4-1 lead. The Colonials added one more in the top of the sixth.
Panepinto went long again in the seventh inning with a two-run shot and Robert Morris tacked on one more run to make the final 8-1.
Trina Fields (Norridge, IL/Ridgewood) (Norridge, IL) struck out four, walked only one batter and sent a double down the left line in the bottom of the seventh inning to try and create a comeback. Augustine led the offense, going 2-for-4.
“I think we have to continue to work on doing all of the same things,” said Head Coach Dale Martin. “Defensively, we need to be able to execute, avoid giving up extra bases and letting runners advance into scoring position. I think that at the plate we have to work on becoming patient and understanding our zone and our count. If we can do those things, we will be competitive and we will be effective.”
The Knights are back in action at Drexel on Wednesday, April 30 for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.
