RNU game | Nichols game
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Nazareth opened its 2009 softball season Sunday with a pair of non-conference victories in Florida. The Golden Flyers dominated Rutgers-Newark in the first game, 10-2, in five innings, then scored twice in the eighth inning of a 3-1 win over Nichols.

Senior Laura Persico chased home the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning with a sacrifice fly. Senior Christa Harris followed with a run-scoring single for the third run. Junior Lisa Nazarenko pitched eight innings and had 11 strikeouts.

In the first game, Nazarenko went 4-for-4 and drove in four runs and Harris tossed a four-hitter against Rutgers-Newark. The game was abbreviated to five innings as Nazareth reached the eight-run mercy rule. Senior Lizzie Barlow added two hits in three at bats and knocked in three runs and junior Jen Linnan drove home two more runs with a double.

Nazareth plays Smith College Monday in a doubleheader starting at 9 a.m.