DOBBS FERRY, N.Y.- The #17 Caldwell University softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader against regionally ranked Mercy College. The Cougars are ranked at #3 in this week's NCAA D2 East Region poll, while the Mavericks came in at #4 in the region. Caldwell took the opener 4-1 and completed the sweep with a 5-1 win in the nightcap.
 
The Cougars improve to 34-11 overall, while the Mavericks fall to 24-10 on the season.
 
Caldwell got on the board in the third inning as freshman Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) doubled with one out. Junior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) was hit by a pitch, while sophomore Carly Testa (Sicklerville, N.J.) singled home Rini for a 1-0 lead. The Mavericks answered in their half of the inning as they added a run to tie the score at 1-1.
 
The Cougars rallied in the top of the seventh as Rini and Monasseri were both hit by pitches to start the inning. Both runners moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Freshman Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) blasted a three-run homerun to put the Cougars ahead 4-1.
 
Senior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.) closed the door in the bottom of the inning for her 17^th complete game of the season. Ponto (22-3) allowed one unearned run on six hits and struck out seven.
 
In the nightcap, Caldwell got on the board in the opening inning as Monasseri reached base on a two-out error. Testa drew a walk, while Johnston reached on an error that allowed Monasseri to score for a 1-0 lead.
 
The Cougars added to their lead in the fifth as they loaded the bases with one out. Junior Katelyn Johnson (Denville, N.J.) drew a walk, while senior Lauren Frye (Jupiter, Fla.) and Rini singled to load the bases. Monasseri drove in two runs with a single, while Testa added another run on a fielder's choice. Caldwell tacked on an insurance run in the seventh as Frye reached base on an error with one out. Rini doubled, while Monasseri singled in Frye to cap the scoring on the day.
 
Johnston (8-5) tossed a three-hit complete game shutout to help Caldwell earn a key regionally sweep.
 
The Cougars host Dominican College on Wednesday, April 26 at 2:30 pm in a key CACC doubleheader at Caldwell Field.