CALDWELL, N.J.- Junior Michael Bernstein (Staten Island, NY) went 3-for-5 with six RBI to help lead the Caldwell University baseball team to a 12-9 non-conference win against Nyack College. The Cougars win their fourth in a row to improve to 6-4, while the Warriors drop to 3-15.

Nyack got on the board in the opening inning as they plated a pair of runs for a 2-0 lead. The Cougars rallied in their half of the first as Bernstein singled up the middle to tie the game at 2-2.

The Warriors retook the lead with a run in the second but Caldwell again answered in their half of the inning. Junior Ryan Rivera (Saddle Brook, NJ) tied the game at 3-3 with a sacrifice fly, while Bernstein again delivered a big hit with a two run single to put the Cougars in the lead at 5-3.

Nyack cut the score to 5-4 but the Cougars took control of the game in the middle innings. Sophomore Noah Clark (Toms River, NJ) added to the Caldwell lead with a run scoring single in the third. Bernstein reached on an error in the fourth which allowed two runs to score.

In the sixth, Bernstein stayed hot as he doubled in as pair of runs, while senior Dominick Orlando (Manalapan, NJ) singled him in later in the frame for an 11-4 lead. Caldwell added a run in the seventh on a double play ball to put Caldwell ahead 12-4.

Nyack rallied in the ninth with five runs but freshman Anthony Frascati (Bloomfield, NJ) recorded the final out to earn his second save of the season.
Sophomore Alexander Lore (Staten Island, NY) went 2-for-4 with four runs scored, while senior Mike LaTorraca (West Caldwell, NJ) scored twice. Clark went 2-for-3 for the Cougars.

On the mound, sophomore Joshua Caba (Belleville, NJ) went five innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits, while striking out five to improve to 1-1 on the season. Sophomore Justin Picinic (River Vale, NJ) pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit, while junior Sagar Patel (Parsippany, NJ) tossed 2/3 of an inning, allowing one earned run on four hits. Frascati faced two batters and registered the final out for the save.

The Cougars return to the diamond on Tuesday, March 29 as they host Pace University for a non-conference game at 3 pm.