WINTER HAVEN, Fla. The Caldwell University softball team opened their 2022 season with a split against Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Augustana University (SD). The Cougars defeated IUP 6-4 and fell to nationally ranked #8 Augustana 9-0 in five innings.  
 
In the opener, freshman Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J.) blasted her first collegiate homerun in the sixth inning as part of a 1-for-3 game. Junior Courtney Grundhauser (Easton, Pa.) drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. Junior Taylor Mischler (Endicott, N.Y.) and graduate Paige Sandoval (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) each went 2-for-3 in the win.
 
Senior Mariah Culver (Owego, N.Y.) earned her first win of the season as she tossed six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with six strikeouts. Senior Kayla Daly (Babylon, N.Y.) tossed a scoreless seventh inning to pick up the save.
 
In the loss to Augustana, the Cougars were limited to three hits in the game. Senior Lauren Stansell (Plantation, Fla.) and Mischler each went 1-for-2, while Sandoval accounted for Caldwell's third hit in the loss.
 
The Cougars return to action on Monday. March 14 as they regional foes Stonehill College at 10 am and Bentley University at 12:30 pm at DiamondPlex in Winter Haven, Florida.