PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Caldwell College baseball team had their three-game winning streak snapped on Saturday by Philadelphia University, which swept a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader with the Cougars at Smith Field. The Cougars, who lost 9-6 and 10-8, fall to 8-12 overall and 2-3 in the conference, while the Rams improve to 6-18, 3-5 CACC.

Caldwell jumped out to a 2-0 lead when senior Nick Mauro (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Cougars maintained the lead until Philadelphia scored four runs apiece in the fifth and sixth innings to go up 8-2. Keith Heck hit a three-run homer in the top of the fifth, then Brandon O'Malley hit a grand slam in the top of the sixth. Another run in the top of the seventh put the Rams ahead 9-1. In the bottom of the seventh, the Cougars rallied for three runs. With two out and the bases loaded, senior Landon Viessy (Oakland Gardens, NY/Cardozo) drove in one run with a single. Sophomore Tommy Murphy (Monroe, NY/Washingtonville) followed with another single that scored two more runs. But the Rams recorded the third out to end the rally and clinch the win.

In the second game the Rams took control early with seven runs in the first three innings. Heck hit a two-run home run in the first, Adam Barkey hit a solo shot in the second, and the Rams scored four unearned runs in the third to take a 7-0 lead. Caldwell got on the board in the bottom of the fifth on Murphy's RBI single. But the Rams answered with another home run in the top of the sixth, this time a three-run dinger by Greg Marcin. Junior Billy Ryan (Toms River, NJ/Manchester) went yard for the Cougars to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Murphy then singled home another run with the bases loaded to make the score 10-3.

Down to their last inning, Caldwell again staged a rally to make the game close. With the bases loaded and one out, sophomore Chris Chiarappa (Elmont, NY/Holy Trinity), pictured, singled home a run, then sophomore Americo Eaderesto (Manorville, NY/Center Moriches) walked to score another run. A fielder's choice plated Mauro, and an error brought home Murphy and Chiarappa to make the score 10-8. With the tying run at the plate, Rams' pitcher Dan Ellmer struck out freshman Jorge Torres (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) to end the game. Murphy finished with two hits and three RBIs to pace the Cougars.

Next up for the Cougars is a CACC game with the University of Sciences on Tuesday, Apr. 4. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Smith Field.