MOON TOWNSHIP- Robert Morris (9-11, 1-1 HORIZON) and Detroit Mercy (2-15, 1-1 HORIZON) split the Colonials’ home opener and opening matchup of conference play for both teams, with the Colonials winning the first game, 7-0, and Detroit Mercy capturing the second, 2-0.

The Colonials dominated the first matchup as they captured the lead early and never looked back.

Avery Winchell singled to left field, driving in Alaina Koutsogiani to give the Colonials the early lead.

Robert Morris’ bats then continued to stay hot in the second inning, as Anna Resnik and Charlotte Grover both delivered two RBI doubles to put the Colonials up 5-0.

The Colonials would go on to score two more runs in the game and blank the Titans.

Dana Vatakis was absolutely dominant in the circle during the first game for the Colonials. She turned in a complete game shutout, as she struck out four batters, allowed only four hits and no walks.

Vatakis explains how she was able to dominate the Detroit Mercy lineup,

“Just keeping them off balance. Mixing pitches in, out, up, and down and then at end mixing speeds.” Vatakis said.

“She has been an anchor for five years, it’s been awesome to have her.” head coach Jexx Varner. “She really just came in and dominated to set the tone for what I think will be a great final year in Horizon League play.”

Madison DeVault took the circle for Robert Morris in the second matchup and looked to be just as dominant early on. She shutout the Titans through four innings.

However, she had not received the early run support that Vatakis had the luxury of having and the game was tied, 0-0, headed to the fifth inning.

Rusti Glenn led off the inning and delivered in a big way for Detroit Mercy, as she sent a missile over the fence in right center to give the Titans the first run of the game.

Another run would come in to score later in the inning for Detroit Mercy on a wild pitch, putting the Titans up by two.

The Colonials threatened in both the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to score.

Detroit Mercy defeated Robert Morris, 2-0, to even up the series.

The Colonials were able to manufacture 16 baserunners and seven runs in the first game, compared to just seven baserunners and zero runs in the second.

Coach Varner notes the team’s lack of ability to adjust in the box and take advantage of pitches early in the count to be reasons for the team’s offensive struggles in the second game.

“We weren’t discipline. We started letting a let of first pitch strikes go and that was one of the best pitches in the at bat. Then she started climbing the ladder a little bit and we just didn’t make an adjustment.”

Robert Morris and Detroit Mercy play the rubber match of this three game series tomorrow afternoon at noon.