Caldwell, N.J. (Apr. 22, 2018) - Senior Sarah Rambo drove in four runs in a sweep over Caldwell University, 6-4 and 5-2, for Molloy softball. It is the Lions' fourth and fifth straight victories over the Cougars, including a 5-0 victory in last year's NCAA East Subregional Tournament. With the victories, the team improves to 27-17 on the season.
Game One: Molloy 6, Caldwell 4
Molloy opened the afternoon with a three-run first inning on the back of a two-run single from senior Sarah Rambo and an RBI double from senior Chrissy Heyer. The Lions increased its lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning following an RBI single from senior Olivia Banulski, who went 3-for-4 on the afternoon.
The Cougars got three runs back in the home half of the inning on two RBI singles before tying the contest in the sixth inning on a solo home run from Kaileen Cain.
Senior Alexandra Russo drove in two runs for Molloy in the top of the seventh with a single to right field, putting the visitors ahead, 6-4. Junior Jenna Turato retired the Cougars in order in the bottom half of the inning to earn the victory.
Rambo and Russo each drove in two runs for the maroon and white, with Heyer and Russo each picking up stolen bases.
Game Two: Molloy 5, Caldwell 2
In the second half of the doubleheader, the home team took an early lead off a lead-off home run from Kiahna Silva.
After a scoreless second inning of play, Molloy took a 3-1 lead following a ground-rule double from Rambo, scoring two runs, and an RBI single from Heyer. Cain hit her second home run of the day to lead off the bottom of the third for Caldwell, bringing the home team within one.
After drawing two walks to start the fifth inning, the Lions added a two-run cushion to its lead on a pinch-hit double to center field from junior Tara Byrnes.
Freshman Tonianne Larson allowed one hit through the final three innings to keep the Cougars from plating any additional runs. The rookie tossed seven innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out two batters.
Russo led the team with two hits while Rambo drove in a game-high two runs and added a stolen base for the maroon and white.
Molloy returns to league play as it welcomes LIU Post to Bob Klein Field on Tuesday (Apr. 24) at 3:00 p.m.
