Central box | Dickinson box
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Nazareth's softball team was shut out twice Sunday during the first day of competition at the Rebel Games in Arizona. The Golden Flyers received solid pitching from seniors Kelly Kocher and Casey Mathers Sunday, but were unable to push any runs across the plate in 6-0 and 2-0 losses to Central College and Dickinson College respectively.

In gthe first game against 13th-ranked Central of Iowa, Kocher yielded just five singles, but she walked seven batters to go with five strikeouts. Central scored twice in the second, third and sixth innings. Meanwhile, Central freshman pitcher Mallory Schulenberg had 11 strikeouts in her collegiate debut. Freshman Nicole Bayona had the only hit for the Golden Flyers, a third-inning single. She advanced to second after a walk to sophomore Kailey Ritch, but both runners were left stranded when #Sarah Cipperly struck out to end the inning.

In the second game against Dickinson, Mathers was sharp on the pitcher's mound in allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out six. Nazareth, meanwhile, had nine hits, including three by Cipperly, but the Golden Flyers still couldn't score as they left 11 runners on base.

Dickinson scored both of its runs in the fourth inning as Erin Owens singled with one out and scored ahead of Melissa Osborn, who slugged a two-run homer. Nazareth, meanwhile, left runners on base in every inning, including three in the fourth. Mathers and Bayona each singled and freshman Danielle Sancilio reached on an error. Dickinson escaped when Emily Beckley grounded into a force play in which Mathers was out at home and Ritch lined out to short.

Cipperly's three hits included a double. Mathers, Bayona and freshman Sophia Rhoades each had two hits.

Nazareth had two more games scheduled for Monday -- vs. Lakeland at 6:30 p.m. eastern time and vs. Central at 11 p.m. eastern.