By JOSHUA NATOLI
Sports Editor
Sophomore Zoe Dubois led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a pinch-hit homer to allow The College of Saint Rose to split two games in their Northeast-10 Conference opener with Pace University today. The Frozen Ropes Complex was the setting where the Golden Knights lost the final game 4-0 after their 1-0 first game victory.
Sophomore right-hander Nicole Wickham outdueled Setter junior right-hander Caitlin McCann in the opener. Wickham struck out five and let up five hits throughout the contest to improve to 4-1 on the year. Wickham has not allowed an earned run in five of seven appearances this season. McCann fanned 10 and gave up just three hits in 7-plus innings of work.
In the final game, Pace (4-13 Overall/3-4 NE-10) went up 1-0 in the second and then took advantage of three Saint Rose (4-7 Overall/1-1 NE-10) errors that led to two unearned runs in the third and another in the fifth. Dubois went 2-for-3 with a triple to pace the Golden Knights offense, while freshman right-hander Renee Vaiano allowed just one earned run and seven hits on her way to a complete game.
Freshman designated player Hanley Hernandez went 3-for-4 to lead the Setters.
Next up, Saint Rose is scheduled to host Post University in a non-league doubleheader Wednesday. First pitch is set for 2:00 pm at Cathy Haker Field at the Plumeri Sports Complex.
