Softball Drops CACC Opener to Caldwell

CALDWELL, N.J. - Thomas Jefferson University softball (8-8, 0-2) took on Caldwell University (5-11, 2-0) in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) action on Sunday. The Rams fell to the Cougars 6-5 in game one and 5-4 in game two. 

WHAT HAPPENED 
GAME ONE: L, 6-5 

• Ella Wheeler started the scoring day off with a two RBI double to the left field in the top of the first for an early Jefferson lead. Caldwell responded with three runs in the bottom of the same inning 

• The Rams tied it up in the fourth with a Devin Brandley one-run single. The Cougars added two more to go up 5-3 

• Jefferson slowly tied the contest up as Liv Stevens single to center field made it 5-4 in the fifth inning. Wheeler nailed a double in the top of the seventh to bring a runner home and make it 5-5. Caldwell went to hit a one-run single in the bottom of the seventh to take game one 6-5 

• Delaney Alix pitched 6.1 innings for the Rams, striking out two batters on the mound 

QUICK HITS 
Liv Stevens: 4-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI 
Lily Hutt: 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 Double 
Ella Wheeler: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 Doubles 
Alyssa Bailey: 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 Double 
Devin Brandley: 2-for-3, 1 RBI 
Delaney Alix: 6.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 2 SO 

GAME TWO: L, 5-4 (8 INNINGS) 

• Jefferson started off strong once again as they put up two runs in the first inning off a Stevens double and Hutt single 

• The Cougars tied the game from a solo homerun in the third and one-run double in the fourth 

• The contest went in a standstill until the seventh inning with the Rams tacking another two runs as Brandley had a single to the right field and Madeline Holmes sacrifice flyout to center field to go up 4-2. Caldwell evened the game out with a two-run single to send it to extra innings 

• After Jefferson didn't score in the top of the inning, the Cougars took the game over the Rams off a passball 

• Lauren Bernaiche pitched seven innings with six strikeouts. Bailey Maloney went into the final inning for Jefferson 

QUICK HITS 
MacKenzie Ward: 2-for-4, 1 R 
Liv Stevens: 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 Doubles 
Lily Hutt: 1-for-4, 1 RBI 
Ella Wheeler: 1-for-3, 1 R, 2 Doubles 
Elizabeth Proctor: 1-for-1, 1 R 
Devin Brandley: 1-for-3, 1 RBI 
Lauren Bernaiche: 7.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 SO 
Bailey Maloney: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER 

UP NEXT 
Jefferson will play at Softball Field on Thursday, March 26 in a doubleheader against Division I institution Delaware State University. The first game begins at 2 p.m.