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BURLINGTON, N.C. -- Christopher Newport University junior second baseman Jen Falin hit two home runs and drove in four of five runs for the Captains as top-seeded CNU had to come from behind to drop #2 Greensboro College today, 5-3. CNU advances to the 2011 USA South Softball Championship game on Sunday at 1:00 pm while Greensboro will drop to the consolation final at 10:00 am. 

Falin was 3-for-4 in the game, hitting a pair of home runs and also notching the game-winning double in the top of the seventh to lead CNU past the Pride.

Greensboro took an early lead, going up 1-0 in the first after lead-off hitter Cyndel Henson scored on a single from Rebecca Pink. Falin's first homer was a solo shot to lead off the top of the second, tying the game back at one.

The Pride answered, though, and again took the lead in the third. Henson scored again on a two-out RBI single from catcher Brittany Parsons. Henson singled and stole second to get into scoring position. Greensboro then led off the fourth with four straight singles to take a two-run lead, 3-1, when Henson drove a shot up the middle, plating teammate Megan Cater.

Greensboro held the lead through the fifth, but CNU jumped on Pride starter Kelsey Sanfilipo in the sixth. Falin hit another lead-off homer, a deep blast to straight center field to cut the lead in half and catcher Chelsea Mitchell followed her with a home run to left, tying the game at three.

Then, in the seventh inning, seniors Ashley Mani and Jessie Atkinson reached with one out, recording a walk and a single respectively. After Sanfilipo got a flyout for the second out, it was Falin's turn at-bat again. The junior second baseman would not falter, driving a hard line drive to left center field for a double, scoring both runs to give CNU its first lead. The hit would prove to be the gamewinner, as sophomore starter Whitney Haller got three groundouts right back to herself in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win.

Greensboro got to Haller throughout the game, stroking 13 hits in the contest, but the CNU starter repeatively got out of jams. She left the bases loaded twice, surrendering only one run in those innings, and forced the Pride to strand 11 in the game. She pitched the complete game and struck out eight for the win, her 16th of the season.

Falin's 3-for-4 day led the way as she scored twice and drove in four. Atkinson was also 2-for-2 with a run scored and a walk. Henson was 3-for-3 for the Pride, scoring twice and driving in one run. Parsons also had three hits for Greensboro.

The Captains will play for the 2011 USA South Championship tomorrow against an opponent yet to be determined. The first of a possible two games will begin at 1:00 pm.