NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Christopher Newport softball team is off to a 7-1 start, and the Captains moved up to 13th this week in the national ranking from the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association). CNU is riding a seven-game winning streak following a 4-0 showing last weekend at a tournament in North Carolina.

This weekend, Keith Parr's squad is back on the road for two more doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday at Emory University in Atlanta. CNU will take on the 8th-ranked Eagles Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Emory is off to a 9-3 start heading into the four games with CNU.

The Captains received their first conference honor this week. Freshman pitcher Aubrey Bates was selected the Capital Athletic Conference's Pitcher of the Week. Bates is 2-0 with one save and an ERA of 0.88 so far in 2017. Senior starter Tara Heatwole is 3-1 and an ERA of 1.27.

Christopher Newport has been led at the plate so far by junior shortstop Rachael Payne, who is hitting a team-best .552. Senior Jenna Sprinkle and freshman Calah Savage lead the team in runs batted in with 11 each. Sprinkle is hitting .533 to date, and Savage also has smacked a team-high three home runs in her first eight games with the Captains and has recorded a .500 batting average.

Following the weekend's action in Atlanta, the Captains will continue to Demorest, GA., for a doubleheader at Piedmont on Tuesday.