Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Caldwell, N.J.- The Georgian Court University softball squad traveled north Wednesday afternoon to take the diamond vs. the #20 team in the land, Caldwell University. The Lions put a scare in the home team in the opener before falling to the host-Cougars, 3-2. GCU could not muster the same fight in the nightcap as Caldwell cruised to a 10-2, six-inning victory, improving to 16-0 (25-10 overall) in CACC action.

GAME ONE

The Cougars struck first on the scoreboard in the opening contest as a two-run single by CF Kelle Lailer (Fr.-Massapequa Park, N.Y.) provided Caldwell a 2-0 cushion after two frames. GCU (10-24, 7-9 CACC) immediately countered in the top of the third as the hot bat of Samantha Reilly tied the contest at 2-2 with a two-run double to right-center.

Georgian Court had Caldwell on the ropes in the top of the fifth as the Lions loaded the bases with no outs. Unfortunately, a subsequent force-out at the plate, book-ended by two backwards K's, permitted Caldwell pitcher, Sydney Ponto (Sr.-West Deptford, N.J.) to escape the inning unscathed.

Caldwell proceeded to take matters into its own hands in the bottom of the sixth as LF Katie Nichols (So.-Acworth, Ga.) brought in what would be the game-winner with a single to center.

Ponto (16-3) went the distance in the circle for the Cougars, permitting the two runs (2 ER) on five hits and six walks (9 K) over seven frames. Jessica O'Neil (5-10) suffered the complete-game setback for GCU, yielding three runs (3 ER) on nine hits and two free passes (1 K).

GAME TWO

A five-spot in the second, followed by three more tallies in the fourth frame, provided Caldwell more than enough cushion as the Cougars coasted to the twin-bill sweep. The Lions plated their two runs in the top of the third thanks to RBI hits from Bryana Smith (triple) and Cassandra Varvaro (single).

Alexa Toner (So.-Mt. Laurel, N.J.) improved to 3-1 for Caldwell with the complete-game pitching effort (6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 H, BB, 3 K). Taylor Baloga (2-7) suffered the loss as the freshman lasted just 1.1 innings in the start (5 R, 5 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, K).

The Lions now take a much-needed Easter break before hopping back into action Tuesday afternoon with a 2:30 p.m. home double-dip vs. Dominican College.