CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University baseball team split a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader against Concordia College on Wednesday. The Cougars took the opener 7-4, while the Clippers won the nightcap 8-3.

The Cougars moved to 8-15 overall and 4-8 in the CACC, while the Clippers stand at 9-17 and 6-4 in conference play.

Concordia jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the third innings. Caldwell rallied in the fourth inning as they plated a pair of runs. Sophomore Noah Clark (Toms River, NJ) drove in a run with an RBI single, while sophomore William Levier (Monroe Township, NJ) tied the game with a fielder's choice.

The Clippers added a run in the sixth for go back in the lead. The Cougars rallied in the seventh as senior Mike LaTorraca (West Caldwell, NJ) singled and stole second. Junior Ryan Rivera (Saddle Brook, NJ) doubled home LaTorraca to tie the game at 3-3.

Concordia answered in the top of the eighth to retake a one run lead at 4-3. Caldwell again answered in their half of the inning as the Cougars loaded the bases with no outs. Clark drove in a pair of runs, while sophomore Kevin Goldman (Valley Stream, NY) tripled in a run. Freshman Mason Marino (Brooklyn, NY) added on an insurance run for Caldwell.

Sophomore Joshua Caba (Belleville, NJ) got the start, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, while striking out four. Freshman Anthony Frascati (Bloomfield, NJ) tossed two innings, allowing one run on two hits. Senior Job Gribbin (Westfield, NJ) got the win in relief as he tossed 1 2/3 shutout innings. Gribbin (3-3) evened his record as he allowed one hit and struck out three.

Caldwell led early in the nightcap as Marino blasted an inside the park homerun to lead off the third inning. The Cougars added to their lead in the inning as Rivera doubled and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Senior Dominick Orlando (Manalapan, NJ) lifted a sacrifice fly to score Rivera to a 2-0 lead.
In the fourth, Marino singled and scored on a Rivera triple. The Clippers got a run in the sixth and scored seven runs in the final two innings to complete their come back.

Sophomore Justin Picinic (River Vale, NJ) went 7+ innings, allowing two runs on one hit and struck out seven. Junior Chris Gehrsitz (Jackson, NJ) tossed two innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits to fall to 2-3 on the season.

The Cougars travel to Nyack College on Friday, April 15 for a non-conference game at 3 pm at Provident Bank Park.