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

ATLANTA, Ga. -- The third-ranked Christopher Newport University softball team opened up their season today, splitting a doubleheader at Emory University. CNU fell to the 7th-ranked Eagles, 6-3, in the opening game, and bounced back with a 5-inning 12-4 victory over Maryville (Tenn.) in a neutral site game.

The Captains took a pair of early leads against Emory, going up 1-0 in the top of the first, and 2-1 in the top of the second, but the Eagles scored three runs in the third to pull ahead for good. The teams traded solo home runs to make the score 5-3 and Emory tacked on one more run in the sixth inning.

The Captains second game was kicked off with a two-RBI single by Chelsea Mitchell in the first inning, followed by two runs in the second inning off the bat of Taylor Dillow and Kristina McLaughlin. After the teams traded four-run third innings, CNU led 9-4. McLaughlin would cap her big day offensively with a three-run home run in the fifth for the final score, 12-4, wrapped up after five innings.

McLaughlin led the way on the first day, going 5-for-7 with five RBI and the home run. Rookie Sabrina Hill also had a home run in today's games while senior Jen Falin had four hits in eight at-bats.

CNU will return to action in Atlanta on Sunday, where they will face Emory at Noon and Maryville at 2:00 pm