Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game 1: Box Score in HTML Format  |  Box Score in PDF Format
Game 2: Box Score in HTML Format  |  Box Score in PDF Format

BRIDGEWATER, Va. -- The CNU softball team hit the road for a pair on Thursday afternoon, splitting the doubleheader with Bridgewater College (14-5) running the team's record to 15-7.  The Captains dropped a 7-5 decision in the first game before coming back and dropping the Eagles 14-7 in the second.

Senior third baseman Jessie Atkinson led the way  going 4-for-4 with six RBI and three runs scored in the second game. She also added two home runs to run her team-leading total to 8 and adding to her program record now at 34.

In the first game, the Captains jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the second. Freshman Candice Zollars singled home Chelsea Mitchell and Kristina McLaughlin to give CNU the early lead. Bridgewater put three on the board in the third, with a pair of home runs. Emily Morris' two-run homer to right center gave the Eagles a 3-2 lead.

CNU tied it up in the top half on a Kelly Foate single, but Bridgewater answered right away with one in the fourth and three in the fifth to take the lead for good. CNU scored two in the seventh in a last-ditch comeback attempt, but the surge was stopped short and the home team took game one.

The second game was a much different story, as the Captains bats came alive. CNU scored in all but two innings of the second game, starting with a two-run first on Atkinson's big blast to left center field. Bridgewater put three on the board in the second to take the lead, but Foate and Lauren Rowley kicked off the third with a bang to give CNU the lead for good. Foate doubled to start the inning, while Rowley came in to hit for Taylor Dillow and blasted a two run homer to deep center field.

After a single by Mani, the Eagles went to the bullpen, but the Captains would tack on two more before the end of the third. Elizabeth Holte gave up two runs in the bottom half, but would settle in facing just two batters more than the minimum over the next three innings. Meanwhile, CNU scored five runs in that span to open up an 11-5 lead.

Rowley finished the game 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored, while Atkinson's 4-for-4 day at the plate led the way. Ashley Mani also had a two- hit game in the nightcap.

Christopher Newport returns to action this weekend, with a pair of crucial USA South Athletic Conference doubleheaders. CNU takes on Greensboro College on Saturday for a pair starting at 2:00 pm, followed by a set against Shenandoah on Sunday, first pitch set for Noon.