CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University softball sophomore Carly Testa (Sicklerville, N.J.) homered and drove in seven runs as the #20 Cougars swept a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader against Felician University. Caldwell took the opener 11-1 in six innings and rallied back in the nightcap to win 10-4.
 
The Cougars improve to 27-10 overall and 18-0 in the CACC, while the Golden Falcons fall to 17-18 and 8-8 in conference play.
 
In the opener, Caldwell got on the board in the opening inning as junior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) drew a two-out walk. Testa singled to center and both runners scored on a double by freshman Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.).
 
Felician got a run back in the second on a solo homerun. The Cougars answered in the third as senior Lauren Frye (Jupiter, Fla.) and Monasseri drew a walk. Testa doubled home Frye, while Johnston hit a sacrifice fly to score Monasseri for a 4-1 Caldwell advantage. Testa ripped a double in the fifth as Caldwell added to their lead.
 
The Cougars broke the game open in the sixth as sophomore Hannah Polak (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) doubled with one out. Freshman Kelle Lalier (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) singled to score Polak. Frye and freshman Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) followed with base hit as Lalier came around to score on Rini's single. Monasseri drew a walk to load the bases and Frye scored on a passed ball. Testa blasted a three-run homerun as Caldwell pushed ahead 11-1.
 
Senior hurler Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.) continued her stellar season as she struck out seven in five innings of work, allowing one run on three hits. Freshman Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) came on in relief, pitching the final inning, allowing two hits.
 
Caldwell struck first in the nightcap as Rini doubled with one out in the third inning. Testa continued her bug day with a single to drive in Rini for a 1-0 Caldwell lead. The Golden Falcons answered in the fourth as they took the lead with three runs in the inning.
 
The Cougars evened the score in the fifth as they took advantage of an error to score a run. Junior Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.) added a run scoring single as Caldwell pulled even at 3-3. Felician responded with a run in the fifth to retake the lead at 4-3.
 
Caldwell rallied back in the sixth as they scored seven runs. Rini and Testa posted RBI singles, while Monasseri drove in two runs with a double. Silva added a run scoring double as part of the Cougar comeback.
 
Johnston tossed 4+ innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, while striking out four. Ponto earned the win in relief to improve to 18-3 on the season. She struck out six in three innings of work, allowing one hit.
 
The Cougars travel to Goldey-Beacom College for a CACC doubleheader on Tuesday, April 18 at 2:30 pm.