Farmingdale box | Dubuque box
KISSIMMEE, Fla -- Nazareth junior pitcher Kelly Kocher was her usual dominating self Sunday as Nazareth opened its 2011 softball season with a 3-1 loss to Farmingdale State. The problem was that Farmindale's Hope Zino was equally impressive in leading the Rams to the season-opening win. In the second game, Nazareth surrendered nine runs to University od Dubuque in the sixth inning of a 13-4 loss.

Against Farmingdale, Kocher allowed just one hit in six innings and struck out 11 in her season debut for the Golden Flyers. Zino, however, picked up the pitching win, by yielding just two singles and a double while also striking out 11.

Farmingdale's Jennifer Jarczynski had a run-scoring double in the second inning for the Rams' only hit of the game. Then after a walk to Christine Watson, both runners scored on an error by Nazareth centerfielder Meg DeMario.

Those three runs were all the cushion that Zino needed as Nazareth struggled offensively.

Junior Brittany Patenaude was stranded at third base in the second inning after leading off with a double. Nazareth scored its only run in the top of the seventh as freshman Shauna Bardanis reached on an error and moved to second on a single by sophomore Kaitlin Graham. Patenaude then hit into a force play, moving Bardanis to third. One out later, freshman Rebecca Sadler delivered a run-scoring single. With the tying runs on base, freshman Liz Toner struck out to end the game.

Against Dubuque, Nazareth fell behind 4-0, then scored four times in the fifth to tie the score. Nazareth loaded the bases with one out when freshman Kasey Pollot walked to force home the first run. Freshman Claire Campbell followed with a three-run single, clearing the bases and tying the score.

The sixth inning turned into disaster for the Golden Flyers, who gave up nine runs on seven hits with two Nazareth errors aiding Dubuque's cause.

Sophomore Casey Mathers was the starting pitcher and threw five innings and took the loss. Jessica Nearad went 4 for 4 for Dubuque, which won two games Sunday.

Nazareth plays two more games Monday -- vs. Kean, N.J. at 1 p.m. and Ramapo, N.J. at 3 p.m.