WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- For the second straight day, Caldwell softball earned a split against strong competition at THE Spring Games, a 13-hit attack in the second game leading to a 7-3 triumph over Southern Connecticut.

In the day's first game, junior Allison Winters (Blairstown, N.J.) and freshman Katie O'Connor (Charlottesville, Va.) combined on a six hitter, permitting just one earned run in a 2-0 loss to Bentley. Junior SS Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J.), junior 2B Grace Vondracek (Odessa, N.Y.) and junior right fielder Jessica Klein (Trevose, Pa.) had hits for the Cougars.

In game two, Caldwell erased an early 3-0 deficit by scoring in each of the last five innings, a combination of small ball and steals, teamed with timely hitting, leading to the seven-run uprising. An RBI hit by freshman CF McKenzie Nazionale (Ontario, Calif.) in the third got the Cougars on the board, and they broke through from there, scoring another on a daring baserunning play by junior 2B Grace Vondracek (Odessa, N.Y.), advancing to third and scoring on an error on a single play.

The Cougars (2-2) took the lead with a two-run fifth, scoring on a Nazionale single and grounder by freshman catcher Taylor Quinn (Colonie, N.Y.).

CU added an insurance run in the sixth and two in the seventh, another Vondracek dash from second on an error plating the first and consecutive run-scoring hits by graduate 3B Riley Riendeau (Lincoln, R.I.) and Quinn resulting in the final of 7-3.

Graduate RHP Madison Burns came on in relief in the second inning, permitting five hits and one run, fanning three to pick up the win.

Nazionale and Vondracek had three hits each for the Cougars, while junior SS Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J.) and Quinn laced two hits apiece.

The Cougars continue their Florida trip with a doubleheader at St. Leo on Tuesday, starting at noon.