Lakewood, N.J.- The Georgian Court University softball squad, coming off Wednesday's sweep over Goldey-Beacom, couldn't muster the same mojo Friday afternoon as the Lions were swept away at home by Caldwell University, the reigning champions of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC).

The #21 Cougars blitzed the home team, 12-4, in six frames before capping the day with another six-inning effort in the nightcap, this time by the 11-3 variety.

Game One (boxscore)

Caldwell (17-10, 12-3 CACC) pounced from the get-go with nine runs in the top of the first, kick-starting what would eventually be a 15-hit attack in the opener. The Lions (5-26, 4-9 CACC) plated two runs in the third on two run-inducing walks and two more in the fifth, courtesy of a long two-run dinger to center from Caroline Abin.

Amber Padilla improved to 10-2 in the circle for Caldwell by permitting two runs (2 ER) on three hits and two free passes (2 K) over 4.0 innings pitched. GCU starter Amanda Finn was hooked with the defeat (0.1 IP 7 R, 6 ER, 6 H, BB).

Abin tallied three ribbies in the effort for the Lions while Bryana Smith went 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

Game Two (boxscore)

The Cougars plated three in the first inning of the nightcap off a three-run blast from C Marissa Monasseri. Georgian Court responded in the home half of the initial stanza with an RBI two-bagger to right-center from Kelly Hardiman and a run-scoring single down the left-field line by Alycia Marsello. 

After a scoreless second, Caldwell would plate runs in each of the next four frames to coast to the sweep, which included Monasseri's second long ball of the game (9th of the season) in the top of the third.

Sydney Ponto went the distance for the victory (6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K) while Angela Lakatos suffered the loss for the Lions (2.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, K).

Marsello registered two of GCU's three hits (2 RBI) in the contest and is now batting 9-for-13 (.692) over her last four outings.


Georgian Court will next take the diamond on Tuesday afternoon when the Lions host Chestnut Hill College at 2:30 pm.