HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team lead after five in game one and was within two after five in game two, but lost both games to Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon. 

Robert Morris (17-27, 7-3 NEC) scored multiple runs in the sixth inning of both games to create separation from Fairleigh Dickinson (3-29, 0-10 NEC). 

Game 1: Robert Morris 9, Fairleigh Dickinson 5
Fairleigh Dickinson struck first in game one of the day when Kellie Natham delivered a RBI single to center field that scored Reanna Cervantes. The single from Natham came with two outs and led to Natham's 18th RBI, and Cervantes 14th run scored – both lead the team. 

The Knights took the lead back in the bottom of the second after Robert Morris had tied it at one on a double-steal play. 

Fairleigh Dickinson used some aggressive and heads up base running to score twice in the second. Kassidy Neptune drew a lead-off walk and then stole second base. Serena Meehan was next up and laid down a bunt that she beat out at first, and Neptune moved up to third. After Meehan had reached, the Robert Morris infield fell asleep and did not pay attention as Neptune took off for home and score as Meehan moved to second. 

A sacrifice bunt from Holly Mercier moved Meehan over to third where she scored from on an Ana Hayes RBI groundout to make it 3-1. Hayes became the second Knights with double-digit RBI (10) on the season. 

Madison Emerson – Fairleigh Dickinson's starters – and Kaitlin Ellzy – Robert Morris' starter – kept the score 3-1 with three shutout innings apiece until the sixth inning. 

In the top of the sixth, Robert Morris sent 13 hitters to the plate and scored eight runs off three different Knights pitchers. A three-run home run and a two-RBI single were the big hits in the frame as Robert Morris took a 9-3 lead. 

Fairleigh Dickinson answered in its half with a pair of runs and was threatening for more but left two aboard when the inning ended. 

The first run game on Natham's first homer of the season – a solo shot to center – to lead off the frame. Neptune reached on a dropped third strike and was moved over to second. From there, Neptune scored on the double from Mercier. Mercier's double was a line drive right over the left fielder's head and off the wall. It was Mercier's third RBI of the year. 

Natham reached in the seventh and advanced to second where she was stranded to end the game. 

Emerson (0-7) started well but ran into trouble in the sixth and last five and a third while allowing nine hits and five runs. 

Ellzy went the distance to pick up her seventh win of the season while striking out six and allowing five runs. 

Game 2: Robert Morris 5, Fairleigh Dickinson 0
The Fairleigh Dickinson offense was stymied in game two, and Robert Morris scored in the first and six innings to get the 5-0 shutout. 

Robert Morris' two runs in the first came off the bat of Natalie Higgins with a two-run single to right center. 

Erica Johnson settled down for the Knights and pitched four shutout innings until the sixth. The freshman did work out of a bases-loaded situation in the second and two runners in the third before retiring six of seven hitters in the fourth and fifth innings. 

Laura Coulter allowed a lead-off double to Cheryl Lopez in the second but was able to leave Lopez at third. Coulter also worked around two base runners in the third but once again kept Fairleigh Dickinson off the board. 

From the fourth inning on, Coulter only allowed one Knight to reach base – Madison Emerson in the sixth on a single up the middle. Coulter picked up her fifth win of the season with the complete-game shutout. 

The Colonials did add three insurance runs on in the sixth. The first two scored on back-to-back bases loaded walks from Johnson. The fifth and final run scored on a RBI ground out. 

Johnson was tagged with the loss (3-10) after scattering 12 hits over seven innings and allowing five earned runs. 

Fairleigh Dickinson returns to action tomorrow for a doubleheader against LIU Brooklyn at the FDU Softball Field at 12 p.m. It will be senior day as the softball program will honor its three graduating seniors; Stephanie Collins, Francine Villalobos, and Lopez.