Caldwell, N.J. - Georgian Court University's extensive 20-game winning streak finally came to a close Tuesday as the #18 Lions split its Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference twin-bill at Caldwell University. The Lions roared back for a 9-7 victory in the opener before falling to the host-Cougars, 8-2, in a second game that was halted in the sixth-inning due to darkness.

GCU found itself trailing by five after the first frame of the initial contest. Not to be deterred, the Lions' lineup pounced for nine unanswered runs (including their own five-spot in the top of the third) to take a healthy 9-5 lead after three-and-a-half.

The Cougars countered with a run in both the fourth and the sixth, but the home team could not overcome the red hot Lions.

Taking over for Georgian Court starter, Jessica O'Neil (5 R 4 ER, 5 H, 1 BB), after just one-third of an inning, Bobbie Beck (3-1) came on to tame Caldwell by limiting the Cougars to only one run (1 ER) over 3.2 innings pitched for the victory (5 H, BB, 2 K). Mikayla Gilgert, the reigning CACC Rookie and Pitcher of the Week, carried the Lions through the final three stanzas to lock down her conference-leading fourth save of the season (2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K).

Mariah Culver (Fr.-Owego, N.Y.) evened her record at 10-10 with the setback (3.1 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 2 K).

Marissa Trezza (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Caitlin Hughes (2-for-4, 2B, 3B) provided multi-hit efforts for the victors. Paige Eckert (1-for-3), the hero in Sunday's comeback win vs. Mercy College, came up clutch once again with two more RBI in Monday's triumph.

With the score knotted at 2-2 after five full in the nightcap, Caldwell (23-17, 14-6 CACC) plated six runs (all with two outs) on three hits, two walks (one intentional), a pair of GCU miscues, and a costly hit-by-pitch to take the 8-2 advantage. Umpires would call the game for lack of light before the conclusion of the inning.

Sara Bearden (Jr.-Ewing, N.J.) came out of the Caldwell bullpen to earn the "W" (11-6), permitting two runs (1 ER) on two hits and a free pass (5 K) over 3.0 innings pitched. Gilgert got the start in the second game as the freshman was tagged with the defeat (15-4) after yielding seven runs (2 ER) on six hits and two walks (3 K) over 5.2 IP.

The Lions' lineup could only muster four hits in the loss with two of the knocks coming courtesy of lead-off hitter, Kendalia Turner (2-for-3). Eryka Springer (1-for-3) ripped a ribbie double for GCU in the top of the fourth.

Georgian Court (37-6, 20-2 CACC) looks to kick off a new streak this Thursday with a non-conference trip to Queens College. First pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m.