CALDWELL, N.J. -- Graduate shortstop Waldy Arias (Plainfield, N.J.) and freshman 3B Michael Cruz (Miami) had two hits each and soph LF Liam Lombardi (Stony Point, N.Y.) drove in two runs, but a late rally gave Post (15-12, 5-1 CACC) a 6-5 win.

Caldwell (7-12, 1-5) erased a 2-1 deficit with a four-run fourth. Lombardi's bases-loaded, two-run single to right gave the Cougars the lead, followed immediately by a single to left by Arias for a 4-2 advantage. Junior RF Noah Putney (Glassboro, N.J.) capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to center.

Senior righthander Chris Coleman (Wayne, N.J.) had a strong start, permitting two runs in 4 1/3 innings, and junior righty Nikko Matos (Roselle Park, N.J.) tossed two perfect innings of relief.

The teams continue the split three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday in Waterbury, Conn.