BOCA RATON, Fla.- The Caldwell University softball team split a twin bill against Lynn University to open their 2020 season. The Cougars won the opener 8-0 in five innings, while the Fighting Knights took the nightcap 8-0 in five innings.  
 
The Cougars open their season at 1-1, while the Fighting Knights move to 11-16.
 
Caldwell got on the board in the first inning as freshman Taylor Mischler (Endicott, N.Y.) reached on a fielder's choice, while junior Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) singled. Sophomore Chloe VanGorder (Harveys Lake, Pa.) singled in a run, while senior Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.) doubled in a run for a 2-0 lead. Junior Anyssia Ramirez (Brentwood, Calif.) added a run scoring single to extend their lead to 3-0.
 
The Cougars added two runs in the third as Rodriguez singled to lead off the inning, while VanGorder drew a walk. Ramirez drove in both runners later in the inning with a two-run double. Rodrigez doubled in a run in the fourth, while sophomore Lauren Stansell (Plantation, Fla.) drove in a pair of runs in the fifth.
 
Senior Sara Bearden (Ewing, N.J.) tosses a complete game one-hitter, striking out five to earn the win.
 
The Fighting Knights took the nightcap as the Cougars were limited to two hits in the game. Rodriguez went 2-for-2 in the loss.
 
Sophomore Mariah Culver (Owego, N.Y.) took the loss, pitching 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on five hits with one strikeout. Freshman Lindsay Davies (Levittown, N.Y.) tossed the final 2/3 of an inning, allowing one unearned run on two hits.
 
The Cougars continue their Florida trip as they travel to Barry University on Tuesday, March 10 at 5 pm.