ASHLAND, Va. - Christopher Newport struggled to get runs across the plate Thursday, losing both games of a Top 20 doubleheader at Randolph-Macon College. The Yellow Jackets, ranked 17th in the nation, beat the 11th-ranked Captains by scores of 4-2 and 5-2.

CNU jumped to a 2-0 lead in the third inning of the opener thanks to an RBI single from junior Leah Andrews and a sacrifice fly from junior Rachael Payne. They would prove to be the only runs the Captains could muster in the first game. The Yellow Jackets plated three runs in the fourth to claim the lead and then added a single run in the fifth to secure the 4-2 victory.

Freshman pitcher Aubrey Bates suffered her first loss of the season, allowing three earned runs on six hits. She is now 5-1 on the season.

In the nightcap, Randolph-Macon broke an early 1-1 tie with two runs in the third inning and then added two more in the sixth for the 5-2 verdict. The Yellow Jackets are now 13-1 on the season.

Christopher Newport scored single runs in the second inning on an RBI double from freshman Grace Wild, and junior Leah Andrews smacked a solo home run in the sixth. Senior starter Tara Heatwole gave up four earned runs on six hits in six innings of work. She fell to 3-4 with the loss.

The Captains are now 11-5 and will host Roanoke Sunday afternoon at Captains Park. The non-conference doubleheader will start at 1:00 p.m.