CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University softball sophomore Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) struck out 10 batters in a game one win as the Cougars swept a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader against Felician University. The Cougars took the opener 8-4 and won the nightcap 11-2 in five innings.
 
The Cougars improve to 14-12 overall and move into first place in the CACC with a 9-1 conference record. The Golden Falcons fall to 12-15 and 9-3 in conference play.
 
Caldwell got on the board in the opening inning as senior Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.) led off with a walk. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a fielder's choice by freshman Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). In the second, sophomore Kelle Lalier (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) singled down the right field line and advanced to third on an error. Freshman Anyssia Ramirez (Brentwood, Calif.) singled to score Lalier and give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.
 
Felician got a run back in the top of the third but the Cougars answered with a pair of runs in their half of the inning. Rodriguez reached base on a fielder's choice and scored on a two-run homerun by sophomore Christina Misiur (Sayreville, N.J.).
 
The Cougars tacked on four runs in the fourth as Ramirez and Silva singled with one out. Sophomore Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) singled to left and Ramirez scored on the play on an error. Senior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) blasted a three-run homerun to extend the lead to 8-1. The Golden Falcons added three runs over the final two innings but Bearden closed the door with a strike out to end the game.
 
Bearden (7-5) tossed a complete game, allowing four unearned runs on six hits and struck out a career-best 10.  
 
In the nightcap, Felician took the early lead with a run in the opening inning. Caldwell rallied back in the third inning as Rini singled with one out. Monasseri followed with a single, while Rodriguez tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Misiur homered to right to put Caldwell in the lead at 3-1.
 
Caldwell broke the game open in the fourth as they loaded the bases. Sophomore Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) reached on an error, while sophomore Daniela Solis (Wilmington, Del.) singled and Silva drew a walk. Rini was hit by a pitch, while Monasseri drew a walk. Rodriguez singled to score a pair of runs, while freshman Kaileen Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.) doubled in two runs. Freshman Paige Sandoval (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) and Johnston hit back-to-back doubles as Caldwell pulled ahead 11-2.
 
Johnston (7-7) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in a complete game effort.
 
The Cougars travel to Pace University for a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday, April 12 at 3 pm.