CALDWELL, N.J. -- Sophomore SS Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J) went 7-for-8 with three runs scored in the doubleheader and sophomore Brooke Martin (Oakland, Maine) brought in the tiebreaking run in the bottom of the seventh of the opener as Caldwell softball (33-13) swept a non-conference doubleheader with Queens (8-30) at Caldwell Athletic Field on Wednesday, 5-4 and 9-1.

Tavaska had three hits in the opener, including a bunt single in the seventh that keyed the winning run, advancing RF Jessica Klein (Trevose, Pa.). who had singled, to second. After a sacrifice by senior 1B Maya Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Martin drove a grounder towards the hole between first and second, plating Klein for the walk-off. Caldwell had taken a 4-0 lead in the first inning but Queens battled back to tie it in the sixth before freshman righthander Olivia Kennedy (Chenango Forks, N.Y.) pitched 1 2/3 hitless, scoreless frames of relief to up her record to 9-3.

The Cougars scored four in the first inning of game two as well, but this time they tacked on one in the fourth and two each in the fifth and sixth to secure the eight-run-rule. Tavaska was 4-for-4 and freshman catcher Delaney Ridgell (Mt. Airy, Md.) drove in four runs on a two-run first inning single, fourth-inning RBI double and fifth inning sacrifice fly. Klein, Rodriguez, soph DP Allison Winters (Blairstown, N.J.), freshman 3B Alexa Lee (Blackwood, N.J.) and Ridgell had two hits each in game two, while graduate Kayla Daly (Babylon, N.Y.) permitted four hits, and no earned runs, fanning four for her sixth win of the season.

Klein had five hits an scored three runs for the Cougars, who bashed 27 hits in the two contests.

The Cougars, rated No. 4 in the first full NCAA East Regional rankings issued today, conclude the regular season on Friday by hosting No. 3 Bentley in a doubleheader beginning at 1:30 at Caldwell Athletic Field.