CWP 2, CC 1 (8 inn.)
CC 1, CWP 0
CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with 17th-ranked C.W. Post University, losing the first game 2-1 in eight innings before winning the second 1-0 Wednesday afternoon at Caldwell Field. The Cougars, who are ranked fifth in the latest NCAA East Region rankings, are now 36-12 on the season, while the Pioneers, ranked second in the region, are 39-11.
The first game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth, when a double by senior Kyrie Timbrook (Los Gatos, CA/Los Gatos) plated pinch runner Rebecca Ashley (Bellingham, MA/Mt. St. Charles Acad.) from second for a 1-0 Caldwell lead. C.W. Post tied the game in the top of the fifth on a wild pitch that allowed Kendall Bright to score from third. The Pioneers loaded the bases with one out in the top of the sixth, but junior pitcher Brittany Pulido (Ojai, CA/Nordhoff) induced a pair of groundouts to end the inning. Then in the eighth, a double by Christie Softy scored Rogin Hardy, who led off the inning with a single, to score the go-ahead run. Caldwell managed a walk in the bottom of the eighth but was unable to score. The loss ended the Cougars' 10-game winning streak.
Pulido allowed two runs on 11 hits in eight innings to drop to 17-4. It was her first loss in her last seven starts. C.W.Post's Sarah Kiser (20-4) held the Cougars to one run on three hits while striking out six and walking two in eight innings.
The second game was also a close affair, with the teams combining for three hits in the game. The lone run of the contest was scored in the bottom of the first inning and did not require a hit. Sophomore Kelly Ryan (Woonsocket, RI/Mt. St. Charles Acad.) led off with a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and was sacrificed to third by freshman Dia Cascone (Staten Island, NY/Susan Wagner). Ryan then scored on another wild pitch for a 1-0 Caldwell lead.
Freshman Kourtney Wilson (Islip, NY/St. Anthony's) did the rest, allowing a double in the second inning and a single in the seventh to record a two-hit shutout. Wilson (14-5) did not walk anyone while fanning two in seven innings for her second career shutout. Hayley Bettles (11-3) was equally impressive for the Pioneers, surrendering just one hit while recording four strikeouts and three walks in six innings of work. Junior Patti Garofolo (Collegeville, PA/Springford) hit a two-out single in the second for the Cougars' only hit of the game.
Caldwell plays a non-conference doubleheader at Queens College on Thursday, Apr. 29, beginning at 3:00 p.m.
