PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y.- Caldwell University softball senior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) connected on three homeruns and set the program record for career RBI as the Cougars split a doubleheader against Pace University.
 
The Cougars move to 15-13 overall, while the Setters stand at 11-17.
 
Caldwell got on the board with three runs over the first two innings in the opener. Senior Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.) led off with a single and scored on Monasseri's first homerun of the day. Freshman Anyssia Ramirez (Brentwood, Calif.) led off the second inning with a single. Ramirez moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a single by sophomore Melissa Rini (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). Monasseri hit a sacrifice fly as Caldwell took a 3-0 lead.
 
The Cougars added to their lead in the fourth as freshman Paige Sandoval (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) led off with a single. Ramirez drew a walk, while Silva singled to score Sandoval. Monasseri followed with a three-run homerun to put Caldwell up 7-0. The Setters rallied with four runs in the bottom of the inning.
 
Sophomore Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) closed the door as she earned the win to improve to 8-5. She allowed four runs on eight hits, while striking out two in the win.
 
In the nightcap, the Cougars took the early lead as Silva led off with a double and scored on a single by freshman Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). Pace answered with two runs in their half of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.
 
Caldwell retook the lead in the third as Silva doubled and scored on a Monasseri homerun. The Cougars weren't finished in the inning as sophomore Christina Misiur (Sayreville, N.J.) doubled and freshman Kaileen Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.). Sandoval drove in one run with a single, while senior Katelyn Johnson (Denville, N.J.) tripled in a pair of run. Ramirez singled to push Caldwell's lead to 7-2.
 
Pace battled back with five runs in the fourth inning to tie the score at seven. The Cougars went back in front with a run in the fifth. Misiur doubled, while Cain walked and Sandoval singled. Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly to put the Cougars back in the lead at 8-7. The Setters rallied back with five runs in the sixth to take the lead.

For Monasseri, she established a new program record for RBI as she ended te day with 189. She passed Alyssa Calderon (2012-15), who ended her Cougar career with 188 RBI. 
 
Sophomore Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) started, going four innings, allowing seven runs on 10 hits. Bearden took the loss in relief as she went the final two innings, allowing five runs on seven hits.
 
The Cougars travel to USciences on Saturday, April 14 for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader at noon.