KISSIMMEE, FL – The College of Saint Rose softball team suffered its first loss of the 2009 campaign as Upper Iowa delivered seven runs in the third and four in the fourth en route to a 12-4 win over the Golden Knights at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL. However, Saint Rose (3-1) rebounded with its third 1-0 victory of the year versus St. Cloud State in the day's second game.

In the opener, the Peacocks (2-1) broke open a 1-0 ballgame with seven runs in the top of the third to assume control. The Golden Knights responded with a pair of runs their next at-bat thanks to a leadoff double by freshman first baseman Amanda Macio. Following Macio's extra-base knock, senior second baseman Elizabeth Cullen walked and later scored on a two-run single by senior outfielder Jaime Clark.

Saint Rose again tried to whittle away at its deficit by pushing across two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Golden Knights drew a pair of walks to open the frame and sophomore designated player Alyssa Farrell delivered a two-run single. However, Saint Rose never managed to generate an offensive threat in its final two at-bats to provide the final outcome.

Senior right-hander Nicole Welch was touched up for eight unearned runs, but also issued eight walks in 3.0 innings of work. Freshman right-hander Courtney Galuski and sophomore right-hander Nicole Traylor combined to toss the final 4.0 innings in relief.

In game two, Saint Rose took advantage of a costly error by St. Cloud State in the top of the third and senior right-hander Tracy Chesebrough took care of the rest by fanning 11 batters to help get the Golden Knights off to their best start since winning seven straight to begin the 2000 campaign.

Senior outfielder Kerry Monahan singled to start the third and freshman Lindsey David came off the bench to pinch run. Cullen then dropped down a sacrifice bunt and the Huskies tried to pick off David who went first to third on the play. However, the throw was wide of third base and David walked across the plate for the game's lone run.

Chesebrough went the distance for the second straight game and improved to 2-0 on the year. She yielded only two walks and pushed her scoreless streak to 14.0 innings.

The Golden Knights are set to play a pair of afternoon games tomorrow. Saint Rose will meet Minnesota State-Mankato at 1:00 pm, which precedes a 3:00 pm encounter with Dowling College.