Martin Rips Five Hits, Freschi Scores Three Runs as Softball Sweeps Mercy - Caldwell University Athletics (2024)

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. -- Junior 1B Brooke Martin (Oakland, Maine) had three hits and freshman CF Brooke Freschi (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.) scored three runs in the opener and drove in both Cougars runs in the nightcap as Caldwell softball swept a non-league doubleheader from Mercy at Smith Field on Tuesday, 8-5 and 2-1.

Freshman righty Katie O'Connor (Charlottesville, Va.) induced a game-ending groundout with the winning run at the plate for her 10th win of the season, then earned her first save with three shutout innings of one-hit ball in game two.

In the opener, the Cougars (24-21) used a five-run fourth to take a 6-1 lead, with RBI hits by junior RF Jessica Klein (Trevose, Pa.), junior 2B Grace Vondracek (Odessa, N.Y.) and junior SS Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J.), a run-scoring hit by pitch to freshman catcher Taylor Quinn (Colonie, N.Y.) and sacrifice fly by senior DP Allison Winters (Blairstown, N.J.) supplying the runs. Vondracek's two-out, two-run single in the sixth proved vital as the Cougars built an 8-2 lead and held off a late run by Mercy (13-24), which scored two in the seventh and loaded the bases with one out in the seventh before O'Connor got the last two outs to preserve the win.

In the nightcap, Freschi knocked in winning pitcher Winters and Quinn with a clutch second-inning, two-run single, supporting the six-hit pitching of Winters, who went the first four, and O'Connor, who retired the last eight batters she faced.

Martin had five hits on the day, while Freschi and Tavaska collected three each.

The game marked the conclusion of the regular season for Caldwell, which awaits its CACC Tournament first-round matchup with other league teams competing this week. The first round is set for Saturday at the opponent's home field, should they qualify.