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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In a performance for the ages, the 14th-ranked Christopher Newport softball team pieced together a record-breaking offensive effort as CNU swept a Capital Athletic Conference doubleheader against Wesley with an 11-3 triumph in the opener before an unbelievable 39-0 victory in the nightcap on a steaming Saturday afternoon at Captains Park.

After falling behind 3-0 in the first game of the day, CNU scored 50 unanswered runs over the next six innings in a breathtaking offensive display. In the nightcap, the Captains set new program records for runs (39), hits (33), and margin of victory (39). The squad also matched the all-time mark for home runs after launching six bombs, including a pair by Alexis Pope.

During the two games, 13 Captains recorded at least one hit, including Meagan Jones, who led the way with seven. Tori Clarke also added six hits during the afternoon, while Pope and Kristina McLaughlin each had five base knocks and nine RBI. Sabrina Hill also peppered the Wolverines with four hits and two home runs on Saturday.

With the victories, Christopher Newport improves to 30-6 on the season, including 11-1 in league play. The Captains assured themselves of at least a share of the CAC regular season title entering the final day of conference play. The two setbacks drop Wesley to 13-15 with a 1-11 mark in the league.

Incredibly, before the offensive explosion, CNU trailed 3-0 after the first three innings of play on Saturday. That early stretch was headlined by the defensive play of the game in the third. With two runners on in the middle of a rally by the Wolverines, Sarah Saunders lined a single to center that looked destined for trouble. Fortunately, Jones made an outstanding play as the sophomore charged hard, scooped up the roller, and fired a dart to the plate. Grabbing the ball on the fly, Karlee Holzbach set up shop in front of the dish and laid down a perfect tag to get the runner and end the rally.

From there, the offense took over.

In the fourth inning, Hill got things rolling as the junior slugger mashed a scorching rope over the wall in left center to put the squad on the board. Later in the frame, Pope punched a two-run double to left that knotted the game at three. With the bases juiced, McLaughlin popped a single to center before Holzbach lined a two-run hit to right, which gave the team a 6-3 edge.

Capping off the rally, Clarke smacked a single to left before Pope matched that effort with an RBI knock to right, which gave the team a five-run advantage. One inning later, CNU put an end to the game after McLaughlin lofted a sacrifice fly to left before Holzbach unloaded on a pitch for a two-run bomb that sealed the 11-3 triumph.

Holzbach eventually finished the first game with two hits and four RBI, while Pope had two hits and knocked in three. Makayla Jenkins earned the victory on the mound after scattering five hits and striking out a pair to keep Wesley quiet after the visitors' early outburst.

After putting on an impressive show at the end of the opener, the Captains still had a whole lot left for their encore. Putting together one of the most impressive offensive performances in CNU athletics history, the squad scored at least 11 runs in three of their four trips to the plate in the nightcap.

Just as she did in the first game, Hill got things rolling in the second contest. The junior punched an RBI single to center before Clarke followed suit. Later, the hosts benefitted from a little wildness as the team plated runs off a hit-by-pitch, walk, and wild pitch. Still looking for more, Hill returned to the scene to finish what she started with a towering shot to left for a three-run bomb, which capped off the 11-run rally.

Amazingly, the Captains topped that effort in the second inning. This time, Pope kicked off the rally with a solo shot to left before Hill and Micah Kingston each knocked in two with a single and double, respectively. Jones also sliced a pair of RBI singles in the inning before McLaughlin put the exclamation point on the 12-run rally with a titanic three-run blast to center.

Holding an improbable 23-0 lead, the offense slowed down a bit in third but still managed to toss a four-spot on the board. Lewis lined a two-run bullet to left, which easily cleared the fence for her third home run of the season. McLaughlin and Katelyn O'Campo also followed with RBI singles to push the lead to 27-0.

With the single-game scoring record in sight, CNU cruised right past the mark with another 12-run onslaught in the fourth. Taking one base at a time, Kingston, Zollars, O'Campo, Clarke, and Lewis all dropped in RBI singles, while McLaughlin and Jenna Sprinkle added bases-loaded walks. Already well past the old record of 30-runs in a game, Pope and Kingston added the final two nails.

With the bases still packed, Pope turned on a pitch and jerked a grand slam to left, which gave Christopher Newport a 38-0 lead. Kingston followed next with her first career home run as the freshman pounded a solo shot that capped off the scoring and sealed the 39-0 victory.

Although Krista Lewis certainly benefited from the record-setting offensive performance, she also did her job on the mound. Following a perfect game in her last outing, the sophomore struck out six while twirling three scoreless innings. Hanah Marshall eventually took over and added two spotless frames to close out the win.

During the nightcap, nine Captains had at least two hits. Jones led the way with a 5-for-6 performance to go along with five runs scored and three RBI. Pope and Kelsey Lewis also crossed the plate five times, which matches the second-most runs scored in a single-game in program history. Pope also collected 10 total bases during the game, which ranks third on CNU's single-game list, while McLaughlin knocked in seven runs and scored four times.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Sunday when the squad caps off the regular season with a doubleheader against Chowan. Action begins at 1 p.m. with Senior Day festivities occurring before the first pitch.

---CNU---