CALDWELL, N.J. -- Junior shortstop Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J.) blasted an opposite-field, two-run home run and senior righthander Allison Winters (Blairstown, N.J.) made it stand up as Caldwell softball gained a split of its doubleheader with CACC leader Wilmington, taking the nightcap, 5-3, on Senior Day at Caldwell Athletic Field.

The Wildcats (30-12, 13-1 CACC) scored seven unanswered runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take the opener, 11-4.

The Cougars (18-16, 6-8) got off to a fast start in game two, scoring two first-inning runs on a sacrifice fly to deep left by freshman catcher Taylor Quinn (Colonie, N.Y.) and a run-scoring hit by Winters, helping herself.

After WU took the lead in the fourth, Tavaska drilled one over the right field wall with junior 2B Grace Vondracek (Odessa, N.Y.) aboard for a 4-3 lead. Then senior LF Chloe Pocceschi (Annandale, N.J.) fouled off several two-strike pitches before lacing a single back through the middle, scoring pinch runner Amanda Batista (Carteret, N.J.) with an insurance marker.

Winters scattered eight hits, dancing in and out of danger, striking out two and walking two and getting key outs leaving runners on base for the potent Wildcats offense. Vondracek and Tavaska had two hits each in the contest, and both totaled three for the day.

In addition to her game two heroics, Winters had three hits in the opener, and graduate 3B Riley Riendeau (Lincoln, R.I.) had a home run and three RBI.

The Cougars visit Chestnut Hill on Monday in a CACC doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m., a makeup of an earlier rainout.