CLERMONT, Fla.- The #18 Caldwell University softball team kicked off their 2017 season with a 1-1 record on opening day. The Cougars fell to Saint Anselm College 10-1 in the first game of the day. Caldwell defeated Assumption College 6-1 to earn their first win of the season.
 
The Cougars open the season at 1-1, while the Hawks improve to 1-2. The Greyhounds drop to 4-3 on the season.
 
Caldwell was limited to four hits in the season opening loss to Saint Anselm. Sophomore Alexa Toner (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) tossed five innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on nine hits to fall to 0-1 on the season. Freshman Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) saw her first collegiate action, pitching two innings, allowing three runs on four hits and struck out one.
 
In the win against Assumption, Caldwell struck in the first inning as sophomore Carly Testa (Sicklerville, N.J.) singled home the first run. Assumption tied the score in the third but the Cougars rallied in the later innings.
 
Senior Amy Hickman (Jackson, N.J.) put Caldwell in the lead with an RBI single in the fifth. Freshman Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) doubled home a pair of runners for her first career RBI in the inning. Caldwell added two more runs late as sophomore Hannah Polak (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) posted an RBI single in the sixth.
 
Senior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.) tossed 6 2/3 innings to earn her first win of the season. She allowed one run on three hits and struck out five. Freshman Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) saw her first collegiate action as she recorded the final out to give the Cougars their first win of the season.
 
The Cougars take on #25 Southern New Hampshire University on Legends Field #1 on 3:30 pm and Ashland University at Legends Field #4 at 6 pm in Clermont, FL.