CLERMONT, Fla.- The #15 Caldwell University Softball team defeated Franklin Pierce 4-0 but came up short to Bemidji St. University 5-4 on Day 3 of their Florida Spring trip. The Cougars remain at .500 at 3-3, while the Beavers improve to 9-3, while the Ravens fall to 1-3 on the season.

The Cougars fell short in their opening game to Bemidji St. 5-4 to start their Sunday morning. The Beavers took an early lead with five runs in the second inning. Sophomore Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, NJ) and junior Lauren Frye (Jupiter, FL) both singled to get the offense started in the bottom half of the inning.

Freshman Kate Nichols (Acworth, GA) reached on an error to score Monasseri and freshman Hannah Polak (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) ripped a two-run double to close the gap to 5-4. Nichols came up with a big hit in the fourth inning as she blasted a solo homerun to lead off the inning. Caldwell put runners in scoring position in the fifth, sixth and seventh inning but could not tie the game.

Junior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, NJ) (0-3) tossed a complete game, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits, while striking out six in a losing effort. Nichols and Frye both went 2-for-4, while Polak went 3-for-4 in the game.

Caldwell bounced back in their second game as they downed Franklin Pierce 4-0. Senior Amber Padilla (Chino, CA) tossed a six inning, one hit shutout, striking out 10 batters to remain unbeaten at 3-0 this season. Junior Brielle Reighn (Runnemeade, NJ) retired all three batters she faced in the seventh, registering one strikeout.

The Cougars took the lead in the third as junior Amy Hickman (Jackson, NJ) singled with one out and stole second. Reighn doubled in Hickman for a 1-0 Caldwell lead. The Cougars tacked on three more runs in the sixth as Monasseri led off with a solo homerun. Senior Megan Fryday (San Marcos, CA) followed with a double, while Frye blasted a two-run homerun for a 4-0 lead.

The Cougars continue their season on Monday, March 14 as they take on Franklin Pierce at 1 pm and Wayne State University at 3 pm at Hancock Park in Clermont, FL.