MIAMI SHORES, Fla.- The Caldwell University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Barry University. The Cougars fell in the opener 7-4 but battled back to take the nightcap 4-1.
The Cougars move to 2-2, while the Buccaneers stand at 15-19.
Caldwell struck first in the opening inning as the Cougars loaded the bases with one out. Sophomore
Lauren Stansell (Plantation, Fla.) reached on an error, while junior
Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was hit by a pitch and sophomore
Chloe VanGorder (Harveys Lake, Pa.) singled. Junior
Paige Sandoval (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) singled to drive in Stansell for the first run of the game.
Barry pulled ahead with two runs in the first and added a run in the second for a 3-1 lead. The Cougars rallied in the fourth as they loaded the bases with one out. Freshman
Taylor Mischler (Endicott, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch to force in a run, while junior
Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) reached on an error that allowed two runs to score.
The Buccaneers tied the game with a run in the fourth and took the lead with three runs in the fifth inning.
Senior
Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) took the loss, tossing 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits. Sophomore
Kayla Daly (Babylon, N.Y.) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out two.
In the nightcap, Stansell led off the game with a single. She came around to score later in the inning on a Rodriguez single.
The Cougars added two runs in the second as sophomore
Emma Cooney (Livingston, N.J.) led off with a single. Senior
Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) singled with both runners moving in scoring position. Freshman
Courtney Grundhauser (Easton, Pa.) singled in Cooney, while Johnston scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman
Elyse Rebelo (Acushnet, Mass.).
The Buccaneers got on the board with a run in the fourth but Rodriguez added a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Daly got the start and earned the win as she tossed five innings, allowing one run on four hits. Sophomore
Mariah Culver (Owego, N.Y.) pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and struck out two to earn her first save of the season.
The Cougars continue their Florida trip as they travel to Barry University on Tuesday, March 10 at 5 pm.