CLERMONT, Fla.- The #15 Caldwell University Softball team defeated #20 Southern New Hampshire 8-2 but fell to Ashland University 9-6. The Cougars move to 2-2, while the Penmen fall to 1-2 and the Eagles improve to 7-9.

The Cougars fell in their opening game of the day to Ashland. Junior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, NJ) tossed 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and struck out two to fall to 0-2 on the season.  

Freshman Hannah Polak (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) blasted a grand slam homerun for her first collegiate homerun. Senior Megan Fryday (San Marcos, CA) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while sophomore Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, CA) went 1-for-3 with an RBI double for the Cougars in the opener.

Caldwell bounced back in their second game of the day as they face #20 and East Region foe Southern New Hampshire. The Cougars rolled out the offense in the second as they plated five runs in the frame. Junior Amy Hickman (Jackson, NJ) drove in a pair with a single, while junior Brielle Reighn (Runnemeade, NJ) ripped a base-loaded clearing double to put Caldwell up 5-0.

The Penmen got one back in the fourth but Caldwell capitalized on a Southern New Hampshire error to add two more runs in their half of the inning. SNHU added a run in the fifth but Caldwell answered in the sixth, taking advantage of Penmen error to score their eighth run of the game.

On the mound, senior Amber Padilla (Chino, CA) tossed a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out one to improve to 2-0 on the season.

The Cougars continue their season on Sunday, March 13 as they take on Bemidji State University at 9 am and Franklin Pierce University at 11 am at Hancock Park in Clermont, FL.