LAKEWOOD, N.J.- The #15 Caldwell University softball team opened up Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championship Tournament with a 9-1 win over Post University in their opening game in five innings.
 
The top seeded Cougars improve to 41-13, while the #8 seed Eagles fall to 18-26 on the season.
 
Caldwell got on the board in the opening inning as senior Lauren Frye (Jupiter, Fla.) singled up the middle. Junior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Frye stole third with Monasseri advancing to third on the throw. Sophomore Carly Testa (Sicklerville, N.J.) singled down the right field line to drive in Frye for a 1-0 lead. Testa stole second to put runners in scoring position.
 
Freshman Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) extended the lead to 2-0 with a base hit to drive in Monasseri. Testa scored on a wild pitch, while Rini came around to score on a double by junior Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.).
 
The Cougars added two runs in the second as senior Amy Hickman (Jackson, N.J.) singled to lead off the inning, while Frye reached base on an error. Monasseri singled through the left side to drive in Hickman. Testa pushed the lead to 6-0 with an RBI groundout. Caldwell tacked on two more runs in the third as sophomore Katie Nichols (Acworth, Ga.) doubled with one out. Hickman singled in Nichols, while Frye singled to score Hickman for an 8-0 lead.
 
Post got their first hit off Caldwell senior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.) in the fourth. The Eagles added a run in the inning to cut the score to 8-1. The Cougars pushed across a run in the fourth as Testa singled to lead off the inning. Pinch runner Demitria Kitrinos (Skillman, N.J.) stole second and scored on a double by Silva.
 
The Eagles loaded the bases with two outs but freshman reliever Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) closed the door as Caldwell took the game in five innings.
 
Ponto tossed four innings, allowing one run on two hits, while striking out four. Johnston allowed two hits in relief for the Cougars.
 
Caldwell takes on #5 Goldey-Beacom College at 4 pm in the winner's bracket of the CACC Championship at Georgian Court University.