WATERBURY, Conn.- The #22 Caldwell University softball team opened up Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play with a sweep against Post University. Caldwell took the opener 11-9 and won the nightcap 14-2 in five innings.
 
The Cougars improve to 6-7 and 2-0 in the CACC, while the Eagles fall to 2-8 and 0-2 in conference play.
 
In the opener, junior Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.) singled in the first run of the game in the second inning to put Caldwell ahead 1-0. Post answered with three runs in their half of the inning to push ahead 3-1.
 
Caldwell rallied in the third as senior Amy Hickman (Jackson, N.J.) reached on an infield single and advanced to second on an error. Freshman Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Sophomore Carly Testa (Sicklerville, N.J.) ripped a double to left-center to even the score at 3-3.
 
The Cougars pushed ahead in the fifth as Rini reached second base on an error and moved to third on a passed ball. Junior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) singled in Rini as Caldwell went up 4-3. Caldwell loaded the bases in the sixth inning with Rini singling home a run for a 5-3 lead. The Eagles rallied in the sixth inning as they scored a pair of runs to tie the score at 5-5.
 
Caldwell rallied in the seventh as they plated six runs. Silva hit a sacrifice fly to put the Cougars up 6-5. The Cougars pushed ahead 11-5 when the inning ended as Monasseri had a two-run double and Testa added a two-run single in the rally.
 
Post rallied with four runs in their half of the seventh off starter senior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.). Sophomore Alexa Toner (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) came on to record the final out to earn her first save of the season. Ponto (4-3) tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowing nine runs (seven earned) on 10 hits and struck out three.
 
In the nightcap, Caldwell raced out to a big lead as they closed out the game in five innings. Rini blasted a solo homerun in the first inning. The Cougars added four runs in the third inning as Caldwell loaded the bases with no outs. Testa singled home a run, while freshman Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) added a sacrifice fly in the inning to score another run. Silva added a run scoring single to put Caldwell up 5-0.
 
The Cougars loaded the bases in the fourth and scored a run on an error. Testa drew a walk to score a run, while Johnston singled in a pair of runs. Caldwell again loaded the bases in the fifth as Rini drew a walk for a run. Testa and Johnston each drove in two runs with doubles.
 
Johnston (1-2) tossed a complete game, allowing two runs on five hits and struck out one
 
The Cougars return to the field as they take on LIU Post on Thursday, March 23 at 1:30 pm. The doubleheader will be played at Baseball Heaven in Yaphank, NY.