Alumni Update - Tess Apke (Robert Morris)

Robert Morris freshman infielder/outfielder Tess Apke, a Mt. Lebanon High School graduate, continued the Colonials' run of league awards as she was selected as the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week.

Apke claimed her first-career honor after helping RMU post a 3-1 record this past week, including a victory over local BIG EAST rival Pittsburgh.

With her award, Robert Morris extended its own single-season school record for weekly NEC honors as it has now taken home 13 this season, which is more than double that of any other conference school. RMU has now earned NEC honors in seven weeks this season, including each of the past three.

Apke had a great offensive week as she was 7-for-15 (.467) with a .667 slugging percentage.

She went 3-for-7 with a run scored against the Panthers before really lighting it up against Youngstown State. Apke went 4-for-8 with a homer, four RBI and three runs scored against the Penguins. Apke's sixth long ball of the season gave her the sixth multi-RBI game of her rookie campaign and the second game this season with at least three runs driven in. She followed that up in the nightcap by knocking a trio of hits, posting her seventh multi-hit game and the first-ever three-hit game of her career.

Apke has posted a .487 slugging percentage along with 20 RBI in her rookie season on the strength of six home runs.

RMU has now claimed 17 of the past 42 weekly rookie honors dating to March 2009, a considerable figure in an 11-team league.

The Colonials wrapped up the regular season this past week with non-conference action after winning the outright NEC regular-season title for the second-consecutive year. As a result, they will host the NEC Tournament this week as they welcome Quinnipiac, LIU Brooklyn and Monmouth for the three-day, double-elimination event.

The tournament begins Thursday with opening games at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Play continues Friday with a winners' bracket game at 10:00 a.m. before elimination games are contested at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

The final two teams will square off Saturday at 12:30 p.m. game with an 'if-necessary' contest scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Robert Morris will open its postseason Thursday with a single game. The Colonials will host Monmouth at 2:00 p.m.

(photo courtesy of Robert Morris University)