NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- Christopher Newport upped its record to 19-2 Monday afternoon with two non-conference softball victories over Eastern Mennonite University at Captains Park. CNU, ranked third in the country, won the opener by a 10-4 margin, and then took the nightcap, 6-2. Keith Parr's squad is now 11-1 at home this season.

The Captains bounced back from a 3-1 deficit in the first game to score nine straight runs en route to the 10-4 triumph. Junior outfielder Rachael Shiflett went three-for-four and sophomore Lia Batchelor drove in three runs to lead the way. The Captains smacked three solo home runs in a big fifth inning that helped put the game away. Senior Tori Clarke started the power burst with her second long ball of the season, and later in the inning sophomore Rachael Payne and junior Jenna Sprinkle clubbed back-to-back solo shots. The home run for Payne was her third of the season, and Sprinkle's shot her second of 2016.

Senior Hanah Marshall picked up the victory in the opener to improve to 7-1 on the season. Junior Maiven McKnight pitched the final three and a third innings to earn her first save of the season.

In game two, CNU broke a scoreless tie with a five-run third inning on the way to the 6-2 win. Sophomore Brittney Walters provided the big blow, a three-run home run that gave the Captains the 5-0 cushion. The home run was the second of the year for Walters. Tori Clarke went three-for-four in game two to finish four-for-eight in the doubleheader.

Junior Tara Heatwole threw six strong innings to improve to 8-1 in the nightcap. Heatwole allowed just two unearned runs on four hits. Freshman Kayla Brennan made her home debut, throwing a perfect seventh inning to finish up game two.

Eastern Mennonite fell to 15-5 with the two defeats. The Royals committed five errors in the twin bill, and only eight of CNU's 16 runs on the day were earned.

Christopher Newport will host Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday at Captains Park. The non-conference doubleheader is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.