CALDWELL, N.J. -- Freshman LF Amanda Batista (Carteret, N.J.) threw out a runner at home plate trying to score on a fly out to left field in the third inning, then drove in the game's only run on a squeeze bunt in the sixth, helping Caldwell softball (15-11, 3-3 CACC) gain a split of its doubleheader with Goldey-Beacom at Caldwell Athletic Field on a windy, chilly Saturday. The Lighting (16-11, 6-1) rallied to take the opener, 7-6.

Batista's heroics supported a stellar day in the circle by senior righty Allison Winters (Blairstown, N.J.), who pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in the opener, then fired a complete-game shutout, fanning three and scattering seven hits in the second game. Winters lowered her earned run average to 1.44, second best in the CACC.

Batista fielded a low line drive in left field, uncorking a perfect throw to freshman catcher Taylor Quinn (Colonie, N.Y.) to just nip the runner. Three innings later, with game still scoreless, junior RF Jessica Klein (Trevose, Pa.) hit a leadoff triple, and one out later Batista laid down a perfect squeeze bunt, with Klein just beating the flip to the plate. Winters then worked around a two-out single, inducing a game ending forceout to short for the win.

Goldey-Beacom used a six-run fifth inning to rally past the Cougars in the opener. Quinn and graduate 3B Riley Riendeau (Lincoln, R.I.) had two RBI each. 

Junior shortstop Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J.) totaled five hits, reaching base six times in seven plate appearances in the doubleheader to lift her batting average to .467. She added two stolen bases in the nightcap.

The Cougars visit Georgian Court in a CACC doubleheader in Lakewood, N.J. on Sunday.