By JUSTIN PORRECA
Sports Editor
The Golden Knights softball team opened the season in Clermont, Florida, spending seven days and playing 12 games in the Sunshine State.
The women split on opening day in Florida. In game one against Indiana University of Pennsylvania, they were shut out 4-0 and were shut down at the plate, mustering only three hits.
Senior pitcher Nicole Wickham was on the hill for the Golden Knights going seven innings, giving up one earned run and striking out three. In game two against Georgian Court University, Wickham picked up the save in an 8-7 victory.
Senior shortstop Danielle Brusca led the way in game one at the plate going 2-for-3. In game two, senior third baseman Jadyn Costello went 3-for-4 with two doubles.
Day two in Florida was a rough outing for the Golden Knight women, falling to Quincy University 3-0 in game one and West Chester University 7-1 in game two.
Freshman Briana Bowen was on the hill for the Golden Knights in game one and tossed a five-hit, complete game. However, errors and a lack of offense hamstrung the women against Quincy.
The offensive draught continued in game two, with the Golden Knight women only mustering a run against West Chester’s dominant pitching.
Senior catcher Zoe Dubois led the way at the plate in game one going 2-for-3 and in game two it was Bowen who also went 2-for-3.
The Golden Knight women’s best performance came against Lock Haven University in their 10th game in six days.
The women struck first with a two-run third inning. Junior third baseman Carly Wood started the scoring surge with an RBI double and then Dubois followed that up with an RBI double of her own.
Lock Haven scored in the fourth and forced extra innings with a two-out double in the bottom of the seventh. However, it only took one inning of extras for the Golden Knights to seal the deal.
In the top of the eighth, Brusca scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore second baseman Taylor Solomon. Senior designated hitter Tina Karaqi cleaned up with a solo homerun to right field.
Wickham was on the mound for Saint Rose, pitching another complete game and fanning six batters.
The Golden Knight women (4-8) finished their 12-game stint in Florida and will take the field again on Friday when they host Stone Hill in a double-header.
