Kissimmee, FL – The Sage Colleges' softball team opened the 2013 season on Sunday on the first day of the team's Spring Training Trip. The Gators opened the season with an 8-6 won over Fitchburg State University, but fell in extra innings to Mount Saint Joseph's (OH), 6-5. The Gators stand at 1-1 on the young season.

Against Fitchburg, sophomore infielder Kristen Beikirch (Brockport, NY/Brockport) had a double and pair of RBIs to help the Gators, while sophomore Karlie Williams (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) finished with a three RBI effort to help Sage open the season on a high note. Senior Kelsey Newberg (New Britain, CT/New Britain) added a pair of hits to help the Gators.

Graduate performer Rachel Smith (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane) earned the win after working five innings for the Gators with five hits allowed. She gave up a pair of earned runs in improving to 1-0 on the year. Freshman Katie Kovage (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls Central) threw two innings for Sage with one hit allowed an no earned runs.

Sage (1-0)  vs. Fitchburg  (0-2)

Score by Innings    1 2 3 4 5 6 7     R  H  E
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Fitchburg              2 0 0 0 2 2 0  -  6  6  3   
Sage                    2 3 0 2 0 1 x  -  8  6  5        

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In the nightcap, Sage dropped a 6-5 decision to Mount Saint Joseph's (OH) in nine innings. The Gators dropped a heartbreaker after Mt. St. Joseph's tied the action in the bottom of the seventh inning, 5-5.

Smith and Beikirch both added a triple in the game for Sage, while Smith drove in pair of runs. Beikirch, Newberg and Williams all had a single RBI each for Sage. Newberg and junior infielder Hillary Faas (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) each had a pair of singles.

Newberg worked all nine inning for Sage in the circle and struck out seven in the game with three walks and six hits. Sage's career strikeout leader, she has 194 in her time as a Gator.

Sage (1-1)  vs. Mount Saint Joseph's (1-1)

Score by Innings    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9    R  H  E
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Sage                    0 0 0 3 1 1 0 0 0    5  9  5          
Mt. St. Joseph's   1 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 1    6  6  1

The Gators are back in action on Monday, March 11 facing Wheaton College (MA) at 9:00 a.m. and Washington College (MD) at 11:00 a.m.