SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- The Caldwell University softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader against American International College on Thursday.
 
The Cougars improve to 21-15 overall, while the Yellow Jackets drop to 8-21.
 
Caldwell took the lead with a four-run first inning. Freshman Nora Conway (Chicago, Ill.) drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a single by sophomore Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). Junior Christina Misiur (Sayreville, N.J.) singled, while sophomore Paige Sandoval (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) followed with a three-run homerun.
 
The Cougars added two runs in the third as sophomore Kaileen Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.) singled with one out. Misiur blasted a two-run homerun for a 6-0 lead. Senior Carly Testa (Sickerville, N.J.) added a two-run homerun in the fourth, while Sandoval added sacrifice fly in the inning.
 
The Yellow Jackets added a run in the fifth but junior Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) closed the door for the win. Bearden (10-5) tossed a complete game, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts.
 
In the nightcap, the game remained scoreless until American International pushed across a run in the fifth inning. Caldwell battled back in the sixth as Rodriguez drew a one-out walk. Cain followed with a two-run homerun to put the Cougars ahead 2-1.
 
The Yellow Jackets retook the lead with a pair of runs in their half of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead.  The Cougars rallied back in the seventh as sophomore Anyssia Ramirez (Brentwood, Calif.) reached second with one out. Junior Daniela Solis (Wilmington, Del.) singled to tie the game and force extra innings.
 
In the eighth, Conway was placed on second to start the inning. Conway moved to third on a ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Rodriguez for a 4-3 lead. The Yellow Jackets got runners on first and third in their half of the inning but the Cougars turned a double play. Freshman Mariah Culver (Owego, N.Y.) closed the door on the inning as she forced a ground out to end the game.
 
Culver (9-9) tossed a complete game, allowing three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts.
 
The Cougars return to conference play as they travel to Wilmington University on Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m.