OLD WESTBURY, N.Y.- The Caldwell University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against NYIT on Thursday. The Cougars took the opener 6-2 but fell 5-0 in the nightcap.
 
The Cougars move to 9-11, while the Bears stand at 6-9.
 
Caldwell got on the board with a pair of runs in the opening inning. Freshman Nora Conway (Chicago, Ill.) reached base on an error, while sophomore Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) followed with a single. Conway stole third and scored on an error. Junior Christina Misiur (Sayreville, N.J.) doubled home Rodriguez for a 2-0 lead.
 
The Cougars took advantage of an error in the third to add to their lead. Caldwell added two runs in the fourth as junior Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) and freshman Lauren Stansell (Plantation, Fla.) singled to start the inning. Junior Daniela Solis (Wilmington, Del.) reached on an error to score Johnston. Freshman Alaina Zavala (San Diego, Calif.) singled to score Stansell for a 5-0 lead.
 
The Bears scored two runs in the sixth but the Caldwell added a run in the seventh on a run scoring single by sophomore Anyssia Ramirez (Brentwood, Calif.).
 
Junior Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts to improve to 6-3. Freshman Kayla Daly (Babylon, N.Y.) retired the lone batter she faced in the seventh.
 
In the nightcap, the Cougars were limited to five hits in the game. Johnston went 2-for-2 with a double, while Rodriguez also posted a double in the loss.
 
Freshman Mariah Culver (Owego, N.Y.) pitched five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with six strikeouts. Daly tossed one inning, allowing two unearned runs.
 
The Cougars travel to Jefferson for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader on Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m.