CLERMONT, Fla.- The Caldwell University softball team opened their 2019 season with a pair of losses to Slippery Rock University and #23 Southern New Hampshire University.
 
The Cougars open their season at 0-2, while the Rock improve to 3-8 and the Penmen improve to 8-3.
 
In the opening game against Slippery Rock, Caldwell got on the board in the fourth inning as freshman Nora Conway (Chicago, Ill.) singled with two outs and stole second. Junior Daniela Solis (Wilmington, Del.) singled in Conway to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
 
Slippery Rock tied the game in the sixth inning as the game headed to extra innings. In the eighth, the Rock loaded the bases with one out. Following a force out at home, Slippery Rock got a two-out walk-off single.
 
Junior Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) got the start, going seven innings, allowing one run on five hits with seven strikeouts. Junior Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) allowed one run on one hits to take the loss.
 
In the second game of the game, Caldwell was limited to three hits against nationally ranked Southern New Hampshire.
 
Freshman Mariah Culver (Owego, N.Y.) got her first collegiate start, allowing three runs on eight hits and striking out three. Johnston tossed the final two innings, allowing two runs on one hit.
 
The Cougars continue their Florida trip as they take on Bentley University and Augustana University on Tuesday, March 11 at the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida.