ROTTERDAM, NY – The College of Saint Rose softball team opened its Northeast-10 Conference slate by sweeping a twin-bill this evening against visiting Pace University at Esposito Field. The Golden Knights held on for a 2-1 triumph in game one and walked away with a 1-0 victory in the second game in what also marked their 2009 home opener.

In game one, Saint Rose (6-6/2-0 NE-10) junior catcher Amanda Morano provided all the firepower the Golden Knights needed with a two-run blast over the right center field wall in the first inning. Senior shortstop Ashley Anderson accounted for the other run after she singled through the left side in what amounted to her first collegiate at-bat, thus putting Saint Rose in front 2-0.

Pace (5-6/0-2 NE-10) got one back in the third when a leadoff double by senior second baseman Missy Dubey and a single by junior left fielder Amanda Dague put the Setters in business. Dubey crossed the plate on a fielder's choice by senior center fielder Christina Pane, but Saint Rose senior right-hander Nicole Welch settled in and tossed a ground ball to keep it a 2-1 ballgame.

Neither side generated many scoring opportunities the rest of the way. Senior right-hander Kiryl Shada  surrendered a mere two hits after the rocky first inning for the Setters, while Welch duplicated Shada's effort by allowing two hits herself throughout the final four innings.

Welch went the distance for the Golden Knights, yielding one run on five hits and fanning four to improve to 2-3 on the year. Morano finished 1-for-3 with a run and two RBI, while Anderson and sophomore right fielder Megan Rios each went 1-for-3.

The nightcap turned into a pitcher's duel early on. However, Saint Rose took advantage of a costly Pace error in the bottom of the fourth to take a 1-0 edge.

Anderson roped a single up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch to get things going. With two outs, sophomore designated player Alyssa Farrell laced a ground ball that was mishandled by Dubey at second, thus allowing Anderson to come all the way around and score.
 
The Setters, who have now dropped five straight contests since opening the year 5-1, threatened in the top of the sixth when Saint Rose senior right-hander Tracy Chesebrough issued back-to-back walks to start the inning. However, Chesebrough struck out the side to help the Golden Knights maintain their slim 1-0 advantage. Chesebrough then retired Pace in order in the top of the seventh to complete the sweep.

Anderson again finished 1-for-3 with a single and the lone run of the contest. Rios, Farrell and senior second baseman Elizabeth Cullen each added base hits. Chesebrough fanned 12 in 7.0 innings of work and surrendered a mere two hits.

Saint Rose returns to action tomorrow when the Golden Knights travel to the University of New Haven for a NE-10 doubleheader in West Haven, CT. Game one is set to begin at 12:00 pm. Pace returns home tomorrow for a 2:30 pm league twin-bill versus Saint Michael's College in Pleasantville, NY. 

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score