KISSIMMEE, FL – The College of Saint Rose softball team got its 2010 season underway this afternoon at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee. The Golden Knights (0-2) suffered an 8-4 setback at the hands of Lewis University in the opener and then dropped a 15-0 decision versus the University of Mary in game two.

In game one, the Flyers (3-3) put up all eight runs throughout the first five innings and outhit Saint Rose 12-6. Lewis struck in its first at-bat when junior first baseman Stephanie Harmon belted a two-run shot that put the Flyers in front 2-0. Freshman designated player Lauren Hanford initially set the table with a double to left field two batters before the big hit.

The Golden Knights struck back in the bottom of the second thanks to a homer of their own. Junior right-hander Nicole Traylor helped her own cause and in the process cut the Saint Rose deficit in half, 2-1, with a solo shot.

Harmon powered the Lewis offense again in the third with another two-run blast, thus making it a 4-1 affair. However, junior catcher Nikki Woodard tripled to right center field in the bottom of the inning to bring around sophomore second baseman Kayla Kuilema, who reached on a fielder's choice, to slice the Golden Knights' deficit to 4-2.

The Flyers put things out of reach with three runs on four hits in the fifth. Senior shortstop Kara Harmatys broke things open with a two-run single to chase Traylor from the circle. Saint Rose managed to get two back in its next turn at the plate when Kuilema brought home sophomore center fielder Courtney Galuski and Woodard laced an RBI double that scored junior right fielder Meg Rios. Both clubs went scoreless over the final two innings.

Woodard went 2-for-3 with a double, triple and two RBI for the Golden Knights. Rios also went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

The Golden Knights have a pair of games on tap tomorrow. Saint Rose will meet Bellarmine University at 11:00 am, which precedes a 1:00 pm showdown with Gannon University. 

Box Score - Lewis

Box Score - Mary