Every year the Robert Morris University women’s softball team spends their spring break in a warm location playing games against teams they typically wouldn’t see on their regular season schedule. Previously, the team has traveled to Orlando and Clearwater, Florida but this year they changed it up and headed to Hawaii.
The team was scheduled to play five games against four different teams from across the country including Marist, Radford, Southern Illinois, and nationally ranked Hawaii however because of rain they were limited to four games against those teams.
For the Colonials the playing aspect of the trip didn’t change, just the location and travel plans.
“There is really no differences when it comes to playing,” said senior outfielder Jaci Timko. “I’d say the major difference would be the long flight and the time zone changes because both took some adjusting.”
Throughout their four games, the Colonials were unable to earn a victory despite two of their games ending with them down just one run.
Their toughest match of the weekend came against #19 Hawaii and marked the Colonials second straight season in which they faced off against a nationally ranked team.
“It’s really exciting playing nationally ranked teams, but it’s also quite nerve-racking because you want to prove that you’re just as good as they are,” said senior outfielder Katrina Gallagher. “We don’t normally play these types of teams, so I think it’s great to get to play against them. You take something from each team and learn from the game.”
Unfortunately for the Colonials, they were shutout, and the run rule came into effect in the fifth inning. A bright spot for the team though was freshman pitcher, Nicole Sleith, who made an appearance late in the game and didn’t allow a run while striking out five batters in just over two innings of work.
“Coming in to pitch while playing Hawaii was nerve racking at first,” said Sleith. “But it was an overall great experience.”
Despite going 0-4 for the weekend, the team gained some valuable team bonding, which they hope will help them as conference play comes into view.
“We spend a lot of time together traveling, especially this year, and a lot of memories are formed,” said Timko. “We come together because everyone is going through the same experience, and we can relate to what each other is going through. Overall these trips develop us on and off the field.”
Regardless of what year the team member is, the trips are memorable experiences and something that the seniors know they will miss once they graduate.
“I think the thing I’ll miss the most is team bonding,” said Gallagher. “On these long trips you get to know all the girls on and off the field. We spend so much time together so it really helps to get to know your teammates.”
