CALDWELL, N.J.- Sophomore Paul Marinello (Freehold, NJ) went 4-for-7 in a twin bill but the Caldwell University baseball team dropped a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader to Wilmington University. The Wildcats edged the Cougars in the opener 7-6, while the Cougars fell in the nightcap 8-3.
Caldwell falls to 9-23 overall and 5-13 in the CACC, while the Wildcats improve to 15-24 and 12-6 in conference play.

In the opener, Wilmington scored five runs in the first two innings to jump out to an early lead. In the third, Marinello reached on an infield single and advanced to second on an error. He scored on single by sophomore Will Levier (Monroe Township, NJ). Caldwell added a run in the fourth as sophomore Justin Jeannette (East Hanover, NJ) drove in a run to cut the score to 5-2.

The Wildcats added two runs in the fifth but the Cougars added two runs in the fifth. Marniello scored on a failed pickoff attempt. Caldwell added another run as junior Ryan Rivera (Saddle Brook, NJ) drove in a run to make the score 7-4.

The Cougars rallied in the ninth as they loaded the bases with one out. Rivera drew a walk to score one run, while junior Michael Bernstein (Staten Island, NY) hit a sacrifice fly to help the Cougars close to 7-6. Caldwell failed to come up with another hit as they came up short in the opener.
Junior Chris Gehrsitz (Jackson, NJ) tossed two innings prior to the rain and lightning delay. Gehrsitz (2-5) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and struck out one. Junior Sagar Patel (Parsippany, NJ) tossed four innings, allowing two runs on four hits, while sophomore Joshua Caba (Belleville, NJ) pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits.

The Cougars struck first in the nightcap as they took a second inning lead. Sophomore Kevin Goldman (Valley Stream, NY) reached on an infield single and stole second. Goldman moved to third on a groundout and scored on an overthrow back to third base to give Caldwell a 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats answered in the middle innings as they scored one in the third and added five in the fourth to jump in front 5-1.

Caldwell added a run in the sixth as sophomore Alexander Lore (Staten Island, NY) doubled with one out and moved to third on a Marinello single. On Marinello's successful steal, the ball sailed into centerfield allowing Lore to cross the plate on the catcher's throwing error.

Wilmington added two runs in the ninth to push their lead to 8-2. Bernstein drove in a run in the ninth on fielder's choice but the Cougars came up short in the nightcap.

On the mound, sophomore Justin Picinic (River Vale, NJ) tossed seven innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits and struck out three as he falls to 0-3 on the season. Freshman Anthony Frascati (Bloomfield, NJ) pitched two innings in relief, allowing two runs on three hits and struck out one.  

The Cougars travel to Provident Bank Park on Friday, April 29 for a non-conference clash against Dominican College at 7 pm.