CALDWELL, N.J. -- A midweek non-league game in between critical CACC league matchups was the perfect opportunity for Caldwell baseball to show off its bench depth in starting roles. 

And did they ever come through.

Sophomore center fielder Alan Hernandez (Boca Raton, Fla.) went 4-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored, senior RF Eli Santiago (Toms River, N.J.) had three hits and freshman 2B Bryen Flaherty (Annandale, N.J.) drove in three runs as Caldwell (13-23) claimed a 9-5 verdict over Kutztown (16-21) at Kiwanis Oval on Tuesday afternoon.

The Cougars opened up a 5-1 lead after three innings, with Flaherty, freshman DH Izaiah Robinson (Franklin Twp., N.J.), junior catcher Donny Gomez (Vineland, N.J.) and senior 3B Vin Vargas (Maywood, N.J.) delivering RBI.

After the Golden Bears cut their deficit to 5-4, the Cougars salted it away with a four-run seventh, capped by Flaherty's two-out, two-run single to right center.

Caldwell's pitching depth was put to the test as well and passed with flying colors. Sophomore righty Jovani Hallihan (Jackson, N.J.) started and wen the first two innings before senior lefty Danny Keane (Union, N.J.) and senior righties Ryan Silnik (Washington Twp., N.J.) and Ben Foote (Elmer, N.J.) covered two innings each. Senior righty Akkash Santiago (Toms River, N.J.) finished up the ninth.

The Cougars totaled 14 hits in the game.

Caldwell next hosts Chestnut Hill on Wednesday in a key CACC doubleheader. First pitch at Kiwanis Oval is 2 p.m.