NEWPORT NEWS, VA - The Christopher Newport University softball team completed an undefeated run through the Newport News Regional of the 2010 NCAA Division III Softball tournament with a 1-0 victory over defending national champion Messiah College.  The win advances CNU to the 2010 Finals which will be played next weekend in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

After Messiah won in walk-off fashion during the first game of Sunday's doubleheader, the Captains and Falcons squared off for the second time in as many days.  Following CNU's 4-0 victory over Messiah on Saturday, the Captains needed the win to advance to the first NCAA finals in school history while Messiah needed two consecutive victories over home-standing CNU to keep their hopes of a repeat championship alive.

Senior pitcher Kristen Rowe won all four of the Captains' games and for the third consecutive day, held her opponent scoreless.   “As a player and a senior, you have to give it your all because you don't want to go out like we have the last couple of years” said Rowe, who along with six of her teammates graduated earlier Sunday morning in CNU's commencement ceremonies. Rowe lost her no-hit bid in the top of the seventh inning on a Messiah single but was able to get two ground balls to end the game

Messiah started a rally in the top of the sixth inning when freshman Daniella Pusateri drew a pinch hit walk with one out and advanced to third base on an error. The next batter hit a fly ball to centerfielder Ashley Mani who was able to throw out the Falcons' Ashley Lehman at third before the tying run crossed home plate, preserving the shutout.

The Captains seized their best scoring opportunity in the third when senior Megan Morris hit a leadoff double and scored on freshman Chelsea Mitchell's single down the left field line. The timely hitting proved to be all that was needed to clinch a berth in the finals, “the past three years of getting here and not knowing how to put it together from a mental and a physical stand point helped our team figure out what it takes” says head coach Keith Parr. 

The Captains won four games in four days and did so with timely hitting and a stifling effort from Rowe. Says Parr: “She's worked hard all year and wants to pitch every inning of every game and as we've seen with some pitchers, throwing an entire season takes its toll… she was able to dedicate a little more time to softball and prepare herself for this moment.” The schedule that CNU played during the season included a trip to Florida to play in a tournament where several of the top teams in the country played doubleheaders daily for four days and also included regular weekend series against conference opponents that saw the Captains play four games in two days.

Senior outfielder Renee Ashworth explains, “This is easier for us, one game a day. We're used to having four games in a weekend during conference play. Playing in the winner's bracket made this much easier.”

The championship added to a special day in which seven Captains players walked across the stage at CNU's annual commencement ceremonies and then rushed to the softball field to prepare for their game. “We are so proud of our teammates. We told them how much we wanted to win this thing and even if they weren't in the game they were so into it. They made this a very special day for all of us seniors and we appreciate their effort.” Said Ashworth.

The 2010 NCAA Division III Softball finals will be played Friday through Monday in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. More details will be available on CNUsports.com as they are available.

The box score