By Julian Bell
Sports Writer
The women’s softball team fell short against Robert Morris in both of their home games on April 22. The Knights lost 9-5 in their first game and fell to 5-0 in their second that afternoon. FDU let go of an early lead in Game 1 and had the opportunity to come back in Game 2, but the Colonials were able to come away with both victories.
Robert Morris (17-27, 7-3 NEC) was able to score numerous runs in the latter innings of both games, which allowed them to win over the Knights. Fairleigh Dickinson (4-30, 1-11 NEC) took an early lead in the first game, but was overwhelmed by the Colonials’ offensive onslaught. In the second game, Robert Morris shut-out the Knights.
FDU scored the first run in Game 1 after sophomore rst baseman Kellie Natham hit a single to center field. This allowed sophomore utility player Reanna Cervantes to score on the play, giving The Knights a 1-0 lead in the rst inning. Natham finished with two RBI on the afternoon and leads the team with 19 this season. Cervantes leads the team in total runs with 16.
The Knights were able to secure the lead again after Robert Morris tied the game 1-1 by scoring on a throwing error. A bunt from sophomore middle in elder Serena Meehan put junior out elder Kassidy Neptune in position to score. Meehan reached first and Neptune stole second base, advanced to third, and made it all the way home before the Colonial in elders had realized what happened. This put the Knights up 2-1 in the bottom of the second inning. Meehan then advanced to second base.
FDU prolonged their aggressive scoring after sophomore out elder Holly
Mercier delivered a sacrifice bunt, which moved Meehan to third base. Freshman catcher Ana Hayes hit an RBI groundout, scoring Meehan on the play, making it a 3-1 game in the second.
Strong pitching from both teams muted the scoring until the sixth inning. Freshman right-handed pitcher Madison Emerson started for the Knights and pitched for ve innings, allowing four walks and ve runs on nine hits. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Kaitlin Ellzy pitched for seven innings and allowed ve runs on seven hits with two walks.
Robert Morris scored eight runs in the top of the sixth, despite the Knights changing pitchers twice. The Colonials were able to secure a 9-3 lead after a three-run home run and two RBI singles.
FDU responded with some runs of their own. Natham hit her first homerun of the season to center eld. Then, Neptune advanced to second base after an uncaught third strike. Mercier went up for bat and hit a double over to left eld. Neptune scored on the play, which gave Mercier her third RBI of the season. The Knights’ efforts to make a comeback were not enough to overcome the Colonials.
The scoring ceased after the sixth inning in Robert Morris’s 9-5 victory over the Knights. Emerson started o strong, but struggled against the Colonials in the sixth inning, allowing nine hits and ve
runs on the day.
The Knights struggled even
more in their second game. Robert Morris poured on the scoring in the first and sixth innings, which allowed them to trample FDU 5-0.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Erica Johnson pitched four shutout innings in her first ve and only allowed a single baserunner between the fourth and fth innings.
The Colonials managed to score three insurance runs in the sixth. Two of them were scored on back-to-back hits. The final run was scored on an RBI groundout by sophomore out elder Abrielle McCartney. Junior third baseman Olivia Lorusso advanced to second base, while senior in elder Stacey Capp moved to third. Senior out elder Jordan Gurganus scored on the play, securing the game for Robert Morris.
The Knights prepare for another home doubleheader against Stony Brook on April 28.
