CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University softball team split a doubleheader to the University of New Haven in a non-conference twin bill. The Cougars rallied to take the opener 8-5 but the Chargers took the nightcap 11-4.
 
Caldwell moves to 14-9 overall, while the Chargers stand at 16-6.
 
New Haven took the lead with five runs in the third inning. The Cougars answered in the bottom of the third with five runs. Caldwell loaded the bases as junior Katelyn Johnson (Denville, N.J.) walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Senior Amy Hickman (Jackson, N.J.) reached on an infield single, while freshman Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Junior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) hit a sacrifice fly to put Caldwell on the board. The runners moved up on a passed ball and both scored on a triple by sophomore Carly Testa (Sicklerville, N.J.). Caldwell battled back to tie the game in the inning as sophomore Hannah Polak (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) doubled in two runs.
 
Caldwell took the lead in the fourth as Rini reached on an infield single. Monasseri put the Cougars in the lead with a double to right field. Caldwell added another run in the inning and loaded the bases in the fifth inning. Rini was hit by a pitch to force in another run.
 
Senior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.) tossed a complete game to improve to 9-3 on the season. She allowed five runs on five hits and struck out six in the win.
 
In the nightcap, the Chargers got six runs in the first two innings. Caldwell rallied in the second as senior Lauren Frye (Jupiter, Fla.) and junior Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.) singled to lead off the inning to put runners at first and third. Silva moved to second on a passed ball and both runners scored on a single by Hickman.
 
Caldwell loaded the bases in the sixth as they got a run on an RBI single by Monasseri. The Cougars tacked on a run in the seventh but New Haven took game two.
 
Freshman Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) tossed 1 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits as she falls to 3-4. Sophomore Alexa Toner (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) struck out four in 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned). Freshman Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) retired both batters she faced in the seventh.
 
The Cougars host USciences in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader on Monday, April 3 at 2:30 pm at Caldwell Field.