NEW CASTLE, Del. - The Caldwell University softball team split a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader at Wilmington University, losing Game 1, 1-0 before winning the second game, 8-4 Saturday afternoon at Asbury Field. The Cougars, who are ranked 21st in the latest NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll, are now 21-10-1 overall and 15-2 in the conference. The Wildcats complete the day 24-13 overall, 14-6 CACC.
Caldwell struggled at the plate in the first game, recording their first of three hits in the top of the sixth inning. The game's lone run was scored in the bottom of the third on an RBI triple by Danielle Bradley. Wilmington pitcher Chelsea Botsch blanked the Cougars on three hits over seven innings, while Caldwell junior
Amber Padilla (Chino, CA/Pomona Catholic) gave up one run on seven hits over six innings.
In the second game, senior
Kristen Knorr (Monroeville, NJ/Delsea) led off the game with a double and later scored on an error. After the Wildcats tied the score with a run in the bottom of the first, sophomore
Lauren Frye (Jupiter, FL/Jupiter) doubled home freshman
Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, NJ/Monroe Twp.) in the top of the second for a 2-1 edge. Caldwell broke the game open with five runs in the top of the fourth, including a two-run double by Frye. Junior
Caitlin McCready (Jupiter, FL/Dwyer) also drove in a run with a single in the inning. In the top of the sixth, Frye singled and eventually scored on an error for the Cougars' eighth run of the game. Wilmington scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to make the final score 8-4.
Frye went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs and three RBIs, while Knorr added two hits and two runs. Sophomore pitcher
Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford) went the distance for the win, allowing four runs on 11 hits while striking out six and walking two.
The Cougars, who were ranked first in the East Region rankings this week, host Adelphi University, the second-ranked team in the region, on Sunday, Apr. 19. The first pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. at Caldwell Field.