BURLINGTON, NC – Christopher Newport's softball team remained unbeaten in the USA South Conference Tournament with a pair of wins Saturday.
The Captains opened the day with an 8-4 win over Methodist. It was the third time CNU has defeated the Monarchs in a week.
MU struck first with a single run in the bottom of the second. The Captains took the lead for good with three runs in the top of the third inning as CNU scored its runs on three RBI singles.
Christopher Newport extended its lead to 7-1 with four runs in the top of the fifth. Megan Morris tripled to lead off the inning and scored two batters later. After a double and a walk, Jessie Atkinson doubled to score two runs and later scored on an RBI ground out.
In the sixth, Ashley Mani tripled and scored on Morris' single to put CNU on top, 8-1. Methodist scored three times in the bottom of the seventh for the final margin.
Katie Moyers finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Morris, Margit Severin, and Atkinson all finished 2-for-4. Taylor Morgan went 2-for-3.
Lindsay Kelly improved to 9-1 in the circle as she tossed four innings, allowed one run on three hits. Kristen Bruce and Kristen Rowe closed it out in relief.
The Monarchs were then knocked out of the tournament by Greensboro in an elimination game.
The Captains won their second game of the day by defeating Averett, 9-1,
Christopher Newport scored five runs in the second inning and never looked back. The inning was highlighted by Renee Ashworth's three-run home run to left field.
Both teams scored once each in the fourth and CNU pushed across three more in the sixth, where the game ended.
Mary Kennedy finished 3-for-3 to lead the Captains. Morris went 2-for-4 with a home run and she also scored twice. Morgan was 2-for-4 and drove in two. Ashworth finished 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Janet Fairchild picked up win number eight by tossing a complete game, allowing one run on three hits and struck out three.
Averett falls to 8-22 and will meet Greensboro in an elimination game Sunday at 10 am. CNU, now 32-8-1, will take on the winner at 1 pm and will have two chances to win the title.
Methodist Box
Averett Box
