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

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Behind a pair of solid outings by Whitney Haller and Melanie Hazelwood as well as some offensive heroics late in the nightcap, the eighth-ranked Christopher Newport softball team opened its 2013 season in fine fashion as CNU swept a doubleheader from Virginia Wesleyan, 5-1 and 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Captains Park.

Haller picked up a complete game victory in the opener after striking out four during her seven innings on the hill. Hazelwood was summoned from the bullpen early in the second game and looked sharp, surrendering just three hits over 6.2 innings of work to secure the win for Christopher Newport (2-0).

On the offensive end, Kelley Foate led the way with five hits during the twin bill, including a crucial single in the seventh inning of the second game, which kick started a two-run, two-out rally that lifted the Captains to the victory. Amber Arevalo also went 3-for-4 during the two games, while Chelsea Mitchell launched her first home run of the season in the opener and worked three walks in the nightcap.

In the first game on Sunday, Haller kept the Marlins at bay for the first three innings and worked out of a minor jam in the fourth with a pair of strikeouts before her offense stepped up. Leading off the bottom of the fourth, Mitchell turned on the very first pitch of her at bat and crushed a deep blast to right center, which gave the Captains a 1-0 advantage.

Although Virginia Wesleyan was able to respond and knot the game at one in the top of the fifth, CNU shot right back. After Meagan Jones beat out an infield single and Candice Zollars drew a free pass, Foate roped a shot through the left side of the infield to plate the first run of the inning. Following a sacrifice bunt and another walk, Mitchell added her second RBI of the game after lofting a sacrifice fly to right, which brought in Zollars.

Holding onto a 3-1 advantage, Haller settled in. The senior standout retired the side in order in the sixth, aided by a nice catch on a liner up the middle by Zollars. In the bottom half of the frame, the offense came back and provided their ace with some extra breathing room behind some heads-up base running.

Arevela opened the inning with a double, advanced to third on a base hit by Tori Clarke, and swiped home on the front end of a perfectly timed double steal for CNU's fourth run of the game. One batter later, Meagan Jones beat out an infield single, and after the third baseman fired a delayed throw across the diamond, Hannah Martin chugged around from second to give Christopher Newport a 5-1 advantage.

Three outs from a win, Haller allowed a pair of runners to reach but calmed down and closed out the four-run victory for the Captains in the top of the seventh.

Following a brief break between games, the Marlins came out on fire in the nightcap. The visitors put a pair in scoring position after a one-out walk and a double by Kristina Karagiorgis. One batter later, Elizabeth Holte induced a slow roller back to the mound. After the first runner crossed on the dribbler, a throwing error allowed the second one to come sprinting in, which gave Virginia Wesleyan a fast 2-0 lead.

After Hazelwood was called in from the bullpen, the senior righty helped limit the damage and was aided by a sensational defensive play by Sabrina Hill. Moving to the hot corner after a strong season at first base last year, the second-year star looked at home in her new position. On a bullet that appeared destined for left field, she made a spectacular diving snag to end the Marlins' first-inning rally.

Following the early action, both offenses struggled to find their rhythm before the Captains broke through in the bottom of the fourth. During the frame, Mitchell worked a leadoff walk, stole second, and moved to third on a ground out. One batter later, Arevalo drilled a base hit up the middle, which brought in Mitchell and pulled the Captains back within one at 2-1.

With her offense coming to life, Hazelwood dominated on the mound. She retired the side in order in the fifth, sixth, and seventh. Once again, she was helped by the glove work of Hill in the final frame. After showing off her range to the left in the first, she put her moves to the right on full display as well. With two outs in the seventh, Kelly Keys ripped a dart up the third base line. Unfazed, Hill made another fully-extended diving grab to send the game to the bottom of the seventh.

Still trailing by one, the Captains had their backs firmly planted against the wall after their first two batters went down in order. Despite the situation, CNU remained calm as Foate kicked things off with a single up the middle before Kristen Olsen followed suit with a base hit to center.

After flashing her leather early in the game, Hill took control with the bat. With two on and two out, the sophomore slugger blistered a rope to left, which chased in Foate with the tying run. Following an intentional walk to Mitchell, which loaded the bases, Kristina McLaughlin dug in. Despite falling behind in the count, she connected on the fifth pitch and sent the ball back to the mound. Hustling hard down the line, she forced the pitcher to hurry the throw just a bit, which caused the first baseman to drop the toss allowing Martin to cross the plate safely with the game-winner.

Hazelwood earned the win following her relief efforts for CNU. She was backed on the offensive end by Foate, who finished the game 4-for-4 with a run scored. Arevalo also notched a pair of hits during the contest.

Christopher Newport will be back in action on Friday when the Captains kick off the two-day Beach Blast against Eastern Mennonite at noon in Virginia Beach. Later in the day, the squad will also take on Allegheny before facing Randolph-Macon and Old Westbury in a doubleheader on Saturday.

---CNU---