ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Apr. 27, 2017) – Fueled by a solo home run from junior Brianna Dalton (Northampton, Pa.) in game one and a walk-off single from freshman Mikaela Tribby (Boca Raton, Fla.) in game two, the Molloy softball team swept the No. 16 Cougars of Caldwell University in a regional doubleheader. The Lions now sit at 28-14 while the losses drop Caldwell to 36-13.

Game One: Molloy 1, Caldwell 0
The Cougars were the first to hit their way to first base, as senior Lauren Frye (Jupiter, Fla.) singled to first base to lead off the third inning. Senior Chelsea Hawks (Wading River, N.Y.) picked up a strikeout in the next at bat before a  fielder's choice and fly out ended the inning without the run scoring.

In the bottom of the fourth, following two strikeouts for senior Sydney Ponto (West Deptford, N.J.), Dalton crushed the ball over the left field fence to give Molloy a 1-0 lead.

Junior Marisa Monasseri (Monroe, N.J.) singled in the top of the sixth, advancing to second following an error by the Molloy defense. Hawks forced a fly out and added two more strikeouts to once again keep Caldwell off the board.

The maroon and white carried the 1-0 lead to the top of the seventh inning. Junior Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda, Calif.) sent a ball all the way to the right field wall, but junior Chrissy Heyer (Brooklyn, N.Y.) made a leaping catch against the fence to pull the ball back and allow the Lions to maintain the lead. Despite a single by senior Amy Hickman (Jackson, N.J.), Hawks caused the final two batters to fly out to earn her 14^th victory of the season.

Dalton and junior Alexandra Russo (Coram, N.Y.) recorded the only hits for Molloy, with Dalton's home run accounting for the game's lone RBI. Hawks pitched a complete-game, surrendering three hits while fanning eight batters.

Game Two: Molloy 2, Caldwell 1
The Cougars pounced first in the second contest as Monasseri hit a solo home run over the left field fence in the third at bat of the contest. In the bottom half of the inning, senior Erin Clinton (Long Beach, Calif.) singled up the middle to get things started for Molloy, but a double play ended the inning without any damage being done.

Caldwell would carry the one-run lead to the bottom of the seventh inning. Dalton drew a four-pitch walk before junior Tiana DeOliveira (Mastic, N.Y.) singled to left. With runners on first and second and one out, Ponto was brought into the game in relief for freshman Jessie Johnston (Livermore, Calif.). The senior picked up a strikeout before Russo singled through the middle, scoring pinch runner Gianna Avallone (Blauvelt, N.Y.) to tie the contest. Down to their final out trailing by one run, Tribby was brought to the plate to pinch hit. The freshman placed a single through the right side to score DeOliveira, giving Molloy the 2-1 victory and completing the sweep of No. 16 Caldwell.

Sophomore pitcher Jenna Turato (Garden City South, N.Y.) pitched seven innings and had a fantastic defensive effort, picking up five assists to go with two strikeouts.

The Lions head to the University of Bridgeport tomorrow (Apr. 28) for a doubleheader with the Purple Knights set to begin at 2:30 p.m.