CALDWELL, NJ-Caldwell College exploded for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Softball Tournament record 18 hits in defeating top-seeded Georgian Court University today, 11-4, to capture the 2008 CACC Softball Championship. Tournament Most Valuable Player Nicole Bodrog led the way by going 3-for-4 with four runs scored and one RBI. With the victory, Caldwell has secured the CACC's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division II Northeast Region Championship.

The 2008 CACC Champion Cougars

 The top three hitters in the Caldwell batting order, Bodrog, sophomore shortstop Danielle Genovese and junior second baseman Gina Capardi, combined to go 10-for-16 with eight runs and six RBI to lead the offensive onslaught. All three of them contributed in a 5-run second inning, which set the tone for the rest of the contest. Sophomore catcher Brittni Frantellizzi started the inning with a single and advanced to third on a GCU fielding error. She was driven home by a one-out single by freshman right fielder Patti Garofolo. Bodrog followed with a walk and Genovese doubled to plate Frantellizzi. Capardi then stepped to the plate and doubled, scoring both Garofolo and Bodrog. Capardi later scored on a single by freshman designated player Annie Forte.

Georgian Court's Samantha Sasko, the CACC Pitcher of the Year, lasted only five innings and allowed 13 hits and seven earned runs, while fanning six.

Caldwell freshman right-hander Brittany Pulido kept Georgian Court at bay and allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings of work to earn her third win of the tournament. For her efforts, Pulido was named to the All-Tournament team. Two of Georgian Court's runs came via home runs, as senior 3B Nicole Fortino homered to center field in the fourth inning and senior catcher Heather Walker hit a shot over the right field fence in the fifth.

Senior 3B Nicole Bodrog was named the 2008 Tournament MVP

 Georgian Court advanced to the championship game after defeating No. 4 Holy Family, 2-1, earlier in the day. Freshman right-hander Diana Sansevera went the distance against the Tigers and allowed five hits and one run, while fanning two in her first CACC Tournament appearance.

The Lions jumped on top in the first inning when freshman center fielder Jessica Comiskey singled and scored later on a wild pitch. However, Holy Family tied things up in the top of the second when junior Stephanie Kinnick homered to lead off the inning. The winning run came in the third frame when junior Stephanie Cuevas walked with the bases loaded. Sansevera allowed only one hit the rest of the way to clinch the win for Georgian Court.         

The full results of the tournament and the All-Tournament team are listed below.

Thursday, May 1

Game 1 - #4 Holy Family 1, #5 Wilmington 0

Game 2 - #6 USP 3, #3 Dominican 2

Game 3 - #1 Georgian Court 2, Holy Family 1

Game 4 - #2 Caldwell 7, USP 0

Game 5 - Dominican 9, Wilmington 4

Friday, May 2

Game 6 - Dominican 3, USP 1

Game 7 - Caldwell 2, Georgian Court 0

Game 8 - Holy Family 3, Dominican 1

Saturday, May 3

Game 9 - Georgian Court 2, Holy Family 1

Game 10 - Caldwell 11, Georgian Court 4

All-Tournament Team

Nicole Bodrog, Caldwell-MVP

Gina Capardi, Caldwell

Brittni Frantellizzi, Caldwell

Danielle Genovese, Caldwell

Brittany Pulido Caldwell

Autumn Florez, Georgian Court

Heather Walker, Georgian Court

Samantha Sasko, Georgian Court

Stacey Ryan, Georgian Court

Stephanie Kinnick, Holy Family

Lauren Armstrong, Holy Family

Jody Searfoss, Holy Family

Danielle Garrison, Dominican

Cara Piasecki, Dominican

Rachel Morgan, USP