Box Score
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – A bases-loaded walk in the top of the eighth inning proved to be the difference as the Caldwell College softball team eliminated Southern Connecticut State, 3-2 at the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament Sunday morning at Bob Klein Field. The Cougars (45-11), ranked 20th nationally, will face host Molloy College this afternoon at 12:30 p.m.

With the score tied 2-2 after seven innings, Caldwell loaded the bases on an error, a single by sophomore Alyssa Calderon (Fontana, CA/Etiwanda) and a hit-batsman. With two outs, sophomore Megan Fryday (San Marcos, CA/Mission Hills) drew a walk to plate freshman Caitlin McCready (Jupiter, FL/Dwyer) with the go-ahead run. Senior pitcher Kourtney Wilson (Islip, NY/St. Anthony's) locked up the victory by retiring the Owls in order in the bottom of the eighth.

Calderon put the Cougars ahead in the top of the first inning with a two-run home run, her eighth of the season. The lead remained until the bottom of the sixth, when Southern Connecticut scored twice on run-scoring hits from Alyssa Downs and Kaley Marden.

Wilson pitched all eight innings, allowing two runs on six hits while fanning two and walking one. Calderon led the Caldwell offense with three hits.

This is the third straight year and the fourth time in five years that the Cougars have advanced to the finals of the regional. Caldwell is making its ninth appearance in the NCAA Region Tournament in the last 10 years. The Cougars, who swept Molloy during the regular season, must defeat the Lions twice today to advance to next week's Super Regional.

2013 NCAA Division II East Region Softball Tournament
Host: Molloy College (held at Bob Klein Field, Rockville Centre, N.Y.)
Friday, May 10
Game 1: #3 Molloy 6, #6 Dowling 2
Game 2: #7 Southern Connecticut St. 3, #2 Caldwell 2

Saturday, May 11
Game 3: #3 Molloy 5, #7 Southern Connecticut St. 3 – 8 innings
Game 4: #2 Caldwell 8, #6 Dowling 2
Game 5: #2 Caldwell (44-11) vs. #7 Southern Connecticut St. (32-21), ppd.

Sunday, May 12
Game 5: #2 Caldwell 3, #7 Southern Connecticut St. 2 – 8 innings
Game 6: #3 Molloy (49-12) vs. #2 Caldwell (45-11), 12:30 p.m.
Game 7: Repeat Game 6 if necessary, TBA

Host: LIU Post, Brookville, N.Y.
Friday, May 10
Game 1: #1 LIU Post 7, #8 Dominican 6
Game 2: #5 Adelphi 4, #4 New Haven (36-13) 1

Saturday, May 11
Game 3: #5 Adelphi 5, #1 LIU Post 2
Game 4: #8 Dominican (32-21) vs. #4 New Haven (36-14), ppd.
Game 5: Game 4 winner vs. #1 LIU Post (47-14), ppd.

Sunday, May 12
Game 4: #4 New Haven 2, #8 Dominican 0
Game 5: #4 New Haven (37-14) vs. #1 LIU Post (47-14), 12:30 p.m.
Game 6: #5 Adelphi (40-17) vs. Game 5 winner, TBA
Game 7: Repeat Game 6 if necessary, TBA