CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University softball team swept a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader against USciences to remain unbeaten in conference play. The Cougars took the opener 11-0 in five innings and completed the sweep with a 10-2 win in five innings in the nightcap.
Caldwell improves to 16-9 overall and 8-0 in the CACC, while the Devils fall to 3-13 and 2-4 in conference play.
The Cougars jumped out to an early lead in the opener as they scored six runs in the first inning. Caldwell took advantage of an error to score their first run of the game. Sophomore
Carly Testa (Sicklerville, N.J.) drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, while junior
Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.) drove in two runs with a double. Sophomore
Hannah Polak (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) tripled in two runs, while junior
Katelyn Johnson (Denville, N.J.) drove in a run with a groundout.
Caldwell added five runs in the third as freshman
Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) blasted a three-run homerun for the Cougars. Senior
Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.) improved to 10-4 on the season as she tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and struck out seven. Freshman
Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and struck out one.
In the nightcap, Caldwell got on the board in the third inning as they scored four runs. Freshman
Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) and Silva both had run scoring singles for a 2-0 lead. Polak drove in two runs with a single as the Cougars led 4-0.
The Devils got a run back in the fourth inning but Caldwell rallied with two runs in their half of the inning. The Cougars scored a run on a passed ball and added a run on a Johnston double.
Caldwell loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth. Senior
Amy Hickman (Jackson, N.J.) singled in a run, while Rini doubled home two runs. Junior
Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) hit a sacrifice fly as the Cougars completed the sweep.
Johnston tossed a complete game, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and struck out two to improve to 4-4 on the season.
The Cougars travel to Bloomfield College for a CACC doubleheader on Wednesday, April 5 at 1:00 pm.