ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – The Caldwell University softball team rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the eighth inning to defeat #6 Merrimack College 3-2 on day one of the NCAA Division II Softball Championship hosted by Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY.
 
The game was scoreless through seven innings of play as the two starters pitched a shutout. Caldwell senior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.) registered four strikeouts and allowed one hit. Merrimack starter Megan Cook allowed four hits and struck out two batters over the first six innings.
 
The game moved into extra innings as Merrimack broke through in the top of the eighth inning. Samantha Waskowitz had a two-run double to break the scoreless tie as they took a 2-0 lead.

Caldwell rallied in their half of the inning as junior Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.) and sophomore Katie Nichols (Acworth, Ga.) led off the inning with back to back singles. The runners moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt. Senior Amy Hickman (Jackson, N.J.) singled to drive in Silva with the first run of the game.
 
The Cougars weren't finished in the inning as senior Lauren Frye (Jupiter, Fla.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Junior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) ripped a single to right field to score Nichols to tie the game at 2-2. Following the second out of the inning, freshman Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) drew a walk on a 3-2 count to force in Hickman with the winning run.
 
Ponto (30-4) added to her single season program record with her 30th victory of the season. She finished with four punch outs in the win.
 
In the game, Hickman went 3-for-4 to collect her 200th hit of her career. She is one of 11 players in program history with 200+ career hits.
 
The Cougars advance in the winner's bracket where they will face #2 seed Molloy at 11 am at RVC Sports Complex in Rockville Centre, NY.