Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- It was a fitting finish for the Christopher Newport softball team on Saturday. On Senior Day, CNU seniors Ashley Mani and Jessie Atkinson both clubbed home runs in the second game of a USA South doubleheader with Peace College. Atkinson's three-run blast in the fifth inning, her 11th of the season, gave the Captains a 9-1 walk-off victory due to the eight-run rule.

Christopher Newport took the opener by a 6-0 margin. The victories improved CNU's record to 22-8 on the season and 9-1 in the USA South.

Atkinson (Mechanicsville, Va.) now has 37 career home runs, the most in CNU and USA South softball history. She also has become the school and conference career leader in RBI with 145 over her four-year career.

Mani (Chesapeake, Va.) was 4 for 5 in the twin bill and scored three runs and knocked in two in the nightcap. Her home run, a two-run shot in the first inning of game two, was her fourth of the season.

Atkinson and Mani were honored before the doubleheader along with Lauren Rowley (Lorton, Va.) for their many contributions to the CNU softball program.

Sophomore catcher Chelsea Mitchell (Mechanicsville, Va.) also smacked a three-run shot in the first inning of game two, her fourth of the season. CNU scored eight of its nine runs in game two by virtue of the three long balls.

The Captains got solid pitching in both games, as sophomores Krista Townsend (Midlothian, Va.) and Whitney Haller (Chesterfield, Va.) picked up the wins. Townsend, now 4-1, struck out nine and scattered four hits in the opening game 6-0 shutout. Haller, now 11-3, struck out five in five innings of work and allowed just one unearned run.

Peace falls to 10-22 overall and 2-8 in the USA South with the losses.

CNU has now won seven straight games and will host Meredith Sunday at 1 pm at Captains Field in another USA South doubleheader.