CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University softball team jumped out to an early lead as the #6 seed Cougars defeated #11 Holy Family University 5-1 in the First Round of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championship.
 
The Cougars improve to 20-10-1 overall, while the Tigers season ends at 5-26.

For Head Coach Dean Johnson, the win marked his 850th of his coaching career. 
 
Caldwell took the early lead as junior Chloe VanGorder (Harveys Lake, Pa.) crushed a solo homerun in the first inning.
 
The Cougars added to their lead in the second as they scored four runs in the inning. Junior Emma Cooney (Livingston, N.J.) led off with a walk and stole second. Freshman Chloe Pocceschi (Annandale, N.J.) singled to extend their lead to 2-0. Freshman Gabriella DeLuca (North Smithfield, R.I.) drew a walk and both runners moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Taylor Mischler (Endicott, N.Y.) doubled in both runners, while sophomore Courtney Grundhauser (Easton, Pa.) singled in Mischler to push the score to 5-0.
 
The Tigers got on the board with a run in the sixth to cut the score to 5-1. Junior Mariah Culver (Owego, N.Y.) shined in the circle for the Cougars as she tossed a complete game, scattering six hits and allowing one run with five strikeouts.
 
The Cougars advance to the Quarterfinals of the CACC Championship where they will travel to #3 Wilmington University on Friday, May 7 at 2 pm in a single elimination game.
 
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