Conference

In the closest and longest game of the day, Robert Morris upset Quinnipiac, 3-0, to advance to the elimination game on Saturday. Neither team produced any runs until the first frame of extra innings when RMU notched all three decisive runs.

Katie Allendorfer (Glenside, PA/Abington) notched the first hit of the game in the first inning, a double to right center, but the rest of the Bobcat contingent couldn’t bring her home. All-leaguer Heather Maffeo (Milton, MA/Milton) singled up the middle in the second with one out, while Lauren Salgado (Covina, CA/Bishop Amat Memorial) connected in the sixth and Allendorfer had another hit in the fourth.

After QU went in order in the bottom of the seventh, Allie Patton (Poland, OH/Poland) beat out a throw to first on a bunt to third to start the inning. Jessica Calderone (Wilmington, DE/St. Marks) then sacrificed her over to second before All-Conference First Teamer Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls OH/Kenston) doubled just inside the foul line to drive Patton home and give Robert Morris a 1-0 lead. After Sarah Capp (McKees Rocks, PA/Montour) lined out to right field, Crooks followed with a two-out, two-run homer that hugged the left field line and just squeezed inside the foul pole to give the Colonials a 3-0 lead. The Bobcats couldn’t recover through three at bats in the bottom half of the extra inning and went down 0-2, ending their 2010 season.

Heather Schwartzburg (Mission Viejo, CA/Capistrano Valley) became the first Quinnipiac player to reach the 250 strikeout mark, while she also became the first QU pitcher to strike out 200 batters in back-to-back seasons.

The Colonials will advance to face the loser of tonight’s matchup between #1 Long Island and #2 Monmouth.