CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University softball senior Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) homered in the nightcap and drove in five runs on the day as the Cougars swept a non-conference doubleheader against Mercy College.
 
The Cougars even their record to 7-7, while the Mavericks fall to 3-17.
 
Caldwell rapped out 14 hits in the opener on their way to an 11-3 win in five innings. Sophomore Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J.) doubled twice, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI, while Rodriguez added a double along with 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI. Sophomore Allison Winters (Blairstown, N.J.) went 3-for-3 with two RBI, while senior Emma Cooney (Livingston, N.J.) collected two hits in two at-bats with two RBI.
 
Senior Mariah Culver (Owego, N.Y.) allowed three runs and four hits over 2 1/3 innings pitched with one strikeout. Graduate Madison Burns (East Greenbush, N.Y.) tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and struck out one.
 
In the nightcap, freshman pitcher Olivia Kennedy (Chenango Forks, N.Y.) shined in her second collegiate start, tossing a complete game four-hit shutout, striking out six to earn her first career win.
 
With Kennedy's performance in the circle, the Cougars only needed a few runs as Rodriguez blasted a three-run homerun in the first inning. Cooney drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run in the third, while senior Courtney Grundhauser (Easton, Pa.) connected on a solo homerun in the fifth to account for the Caldwell runs in game two.
 
The Cougars open conference play as they travel to Holy Family University for a doubleheader on Sunday, March 26 at 1 pm.