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SALISBURY, Md. -- The Christopher Newport University softball team held off Virginia Wesleyan, 8-6, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday. The Captains improved to 32-10 on the season with the victory, and will now take on Emory University, the #2 team in the nation, Friday at Salisbury University. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm.

The Captains, seeded #5 in the eight team regional, jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a two-run double from junior Jen Falin (Williamsburg, Va.) in the first inning. CNU added two unearned runs in the fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead. Sophomore catcher Chelsea Mitchell (Mechanicsville, Va.) scored on an error and then freshman Kristina McLaughlin (Virginia Beach, Va.) delivered a run-scoring single to bring home pinch-runner Felicia Price (Sterling, Va.).

The Marlins answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-2. Christopher Newport opened the lead with a four-run fifth inning. Freshman outfielder Kelley Foate (Richmond, Va.) delivered the key hit with a bases-clearing three-run double as CNU took an 8-2 lead.

Virginia Wesleyan again bounced right back by answering with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to 8-5. The Marlins would then load the bases in both the sixth and seventh innings but manage to plate only one more run to make the final 8-6. CNU pitchers stranded nine Wesleyan runners for the day.

CNU starter Whitney Haller (Chesterfield, Va.) pitched into the seventh inning before being relieved by Krista Townsend (Midlothian, Va.) who wiggled out of trouble to end the game. Haller allowed seven hits and three earned runs while striking out four and picked up the win to improve to 17-4 on the season. Townsend was credited with the save, her first of the season.

Christopher Newport had 10 hits on the day with Foate, McLaughlin, and Mitchell each contributing two hits.

Virginia Wesleyan starter MacKenzie Creech allowed all eight runs and nine hits and took the loss to fall to 18-5. CNU knocked Creech out of the game in the fifth inning.

The Captains are making their fifth straight NCAA appearance. Keith Parr's squad received an at-large bid to the tournament. CNU advanced to the finals last year for the first time in program history.

Virginia Wesleyan, seeded #4, is now 29-10 and ranked #24 in the nation. The Marlins are making their first NCAA appearance since 1989, and will play Kean University on Friday in an elimination game in the double elimination tournament.

Emory defeated Kean in the opening game of the day, 6-1. Emory is now 41-2-1 on the season and will play the Captains at 2 pm Friday in the second round.