CLERMONT, Fla.- The Caldwell University softball team concluded their Florida road trip with losses to West Chester University and William Jewell College at the National Training Center. The Cougars fell to the Rams 7-2 and came up short to Cardinals 8-5.
 
The Cougars fall to 3-9 on their trip.
 
In the opening game against West Chester, the Rams took the early lead with three runs in the first and four runs in the second inning.
 
Caldwell broke through with two runs in the sixth inning. Senior Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.) doubled with one out. Sophomore Kelle Lalier (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) singled to move Silva to third. Silva scored on an error, while Lalier scored on a single by sophomore Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.).
 
Sophomore Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) tossed a complete game, allowing seven runs in 14 hits with two strikeouts to fall to 1-4.
 
The Cougars got on the board in the first inning against William Jewell as Silva and sophomore Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) drew walks. Silva came around to score on a ground out by freshman Kaileen Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.). Freshman Anyssia Ramirez (Brentwood, Calif.) drew a walk and Rini scored on a double steal attempt.
 
The Cardinals took the lead with three in the second and added one in the third for a 4-2 lead. Caldwell got a run in the fourth inning as freshman Paige Sandoval (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) hit a solo homerun.
 
William Jewell added a run in the fifth and one in the sixth inning. The Cougars added two runs in the sixth inning as they loaded the bases with one out. Cain drew a leadoff walk, while freshman Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) singled. Sandoval drew a walk to load the bases. Ramirez drove in two runs with a single.
 
Johnston tossed a complete game, allowing eight runs (three earned) on 12 hits with three strikeouts to fall to 2-5.
 
The Cougars return to New Jersey as they host #24 Merrimack College on Sunday, March 18.