CALDWELL SOFTBALL TAKES TWO FROM FELICIAN

4-16-08
CC 9, FC 7
CC 8, FC 1
LODI, N.J. - Junior Gina Capardi (West Caldwell, NJ/Caldwell) hit two home runs on the day to help the Caldwell College softball team sweep a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader with Felician College Wednesday afternoon at Kennedy Park. The Cougars scored seven runs in the top of the seventh inning for a 9-7 comeback victory in Game 1, then cruised to an 8-1 win in Game 2. The results give Caldwell a 21-13 overall record and an 11-1 mark in the conference, while the Golden Falcons fall to 12-18, 7-10 CACC.

In the first game, Capardi's two-run home run in the top of the third put the Cougars on top 2-0. But the lead didn't last, as Felician scored six runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth, sparked by a grand slam from Samantha Ortiz. The Golden Falcons maintained the upper hand until the top of the seventh, when Caldwell loaded the bases on a walk, a single and an error. Senior Nicole Bodrog (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) followed with a single that scored senior Carrie Flasphaler (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads), then sophomore Danielle Genovese (Livingston, NJ/Livingston) walked to bring home freshman Patti Garofolo (Collegeville, PA/Spring Ford) to make the score 6-4. With the bases still loaded, Capardi's single was misplayed by the left fielder, allowing all three base runners to score for a 7-6 Caldwell lead. A two-run double by sophomore Brittni Frantellizzi (Binghamton, NY/Susquehanna Valley) made it 9-6. Felician scored a run on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh, but freshman pitcher Brittany Pulido (Ojai, CA/Nordhoff) induced a pop-up to end the game with three runners on base.

Pulido started the game and pitched four innings, then re-entered in the seventh to earn the save. Freshman Annie Forte (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) earned the win after pitching 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Another home run by Capardi, a solo shot in the top of the fourth, accounted for the first run of the second game. She now has a team-leading five home runs on the season. In the fifth, the Cougars scored three runs on two singles, an error, a groundout by Capardi and a solo home run by Forte for a 4-0 lead. Four more runs in the seventh made it 8-0. Sophomore Sydney Day (Houston, TX/Stratford) led off the inning with a double, then Bodrog hit her first home run of the season. Forte singled home a run, and sophomore Kyrie Timbrook (Los Gatos, CA/Los Gatos) brought home another run for an 8-0 lead.

Felician scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to break up the shutout bid of junior pitcher Kristen de la Campa (Whitman, MA/Whitman Hanson), who gave up one run on eight hits and four walks while striking out three in seven innings. Bodrog, Capardi and Forte each had two RBIs in the win, which wrapped up Caldwell's fifth sweep in six CACC doubleheaders. Capardi also has hit a home run in three consecutive games.

The Cougars host Dowling College in a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday, Apr. 17. The first pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.

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