STRONG PITCHING HELPS COUGAR SOFTBALL BEAT RAMS

3-28-09
CC 3, PU 2
CC 1, PU 0
PHILADELPHIA, Penn. - The Caldwell College softball team defeated Philadelphia University, 3-2 and 1-0 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Bucky Harris Field. Caldwell pitchers Brittany Pulido (Ojai, CA/Nordhoff) and Juliette Wilson (Dallas, OR/West Salem) did not allow an earned run, as the Cougars won their eighth-straight game to improve to 11-7 overall and 8-0 in conference play. The Rams fall to 8-11, 1-5 CACC.

In the first game, Caldwell took a 1-0 lead with a bases-loaded walk by sophomore Patti Garofolo (Collegeville, PA/Springford) in the top of the second. Philadelphia came back in the bottom of the second with two unearned runs to take a 2-1 advantage. Kristyn Lougherty had a run-scoring single in the inning. But Caldwell answered in the top of the third. With one out, senior Gina Capardi (West Caldwell, NJ/Caldwell) walked, stole second and then scored on a double by junior Kyrie Timbrook (Los Gatos, CA/Los Gatos). Timbrook came home with what proved to be the game-winning run on a single by freshman Katie Margiotta (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) for a 3-2 lead.

Pulido (3-0) took over from there, holding the Rams to just two singles over the final five innings. The sophomore allowed just four hits and two unearned runs while striking out five and walking none in a complete-game victory. Alexandra Schmidt also went the distance for Philadelphia, giving up three runs on five hits while walking seven and fanning four.

Offense was at a premium in Game 2, as neither team could get the key hit with runners on base. Caldwell broke through with the game's only run in the top of the fifth. Garofolo led off the inning with a double, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a single by junior Danielle Genovese (Livingston, NJ/Livingston). The Cougars got four hits off Rams' pitching and walked six times, but stranded nine runners on base. Wilson (4-5) blanked Philadelphia on four hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. Pulido came on in the sixth and retired four batters to earn her second save of the season. On the day, Pulido pitched 8 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run.

The Cougars will play a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday, Mar. 29 against Dowling College. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Oakdale, N.Y.

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