PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- The Caldwell University softball team split a twin bill with Thomas Jefferson University in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader. The Cougars took the opener 6-0, while the Rams took the nightcap 4-3.
 
The Cougars move to 19-10-1 overall and 16-10 in the CACC, while the Rams stand at 17-9 and 17-9 in conference play.
 
In the opener, Caldwell took the early lead with five runs in the fourth inning. Senior Anyssia Ramirez (Brentwood, Calif.) doubled to start the inning, while senior Paige Sandoval (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) and junior Emma Cooney (Livingston, N.J.) drew walks to load the bases. Freshman Chloe Pocceschi (Annandale, N.J.) and freshman Valerie Joaquin (Long Beach, Calif.) followed with singles to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.
 
Sophomore Taylor Mischler (Endicott, N.Y.) added a run scoring ground out, while sophomore Courtney Grundhauser (Easton, Pa.) drove in two runs with a double for a 5-0 lead. Pocceschi added a sacrifice fly in the fifth to extend their lead to 6-0.
 
Junior Mariah Culver (Owego, N.Y.) improved to 12-4 on the season as she tossed a one-hit complete game shutout with five strikeouts.
 
In the nightcap, Caldwell pushed across a run in the fifth as Grundhauser singled with two outs. Junior Chloe VanGorder (Harveys Lake, Pa.) drove in Graundhauser with the first run of the game. Grundhauser added a two-run homerun in the seventh for a 3-0 lead.
 
The Rams rallied back in their final at-bat with four runs to take the game two.
 
Culver tossed two scoreless innings, allowing three hits. Freshman Morgan Kapp (Waterloo, N.Y.) took the loss, falling to 1-1, as she allowed four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.
 
The Cougars has qualified for the CACC postseason tournament that begins on Wednesday, May 5. The bracket for the CACC Championship will be announced this weekend.