NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport and Penn State-Behrend split a non-conference softball doubleheader Sunday at Captains Park. The Lions took the first game, 3-2, and the Captains bounced back to take the nightcap, 5-0.

The day began with a pitcher's duel as CNU senior Tara Heatwole and Behrend sophomore A.J. Nichols both took shutouts into the sixth inning. The Lions posted three runs in the top of the frame, followed by two runs from the Captains in the bottom half. Nichols then managed to maneuver out of trouble in the seventh and the Lions held on for the 3-2 triumph. The game ended with the Captains stranding runners on first and third in the bottom of the seventh.

Senior center fielder Rachael Shifllett brought home both CNU runs in the opener with a sixth inning double. Heatwole took the loss to fall to 3-5 on the season, despite pitching well and allowing just one earned run on eight hits.

Freshman pitcher Aubrey Bates saved the day for CNU, throwing six shutout innings and allowing just two hits in the second game. Bates improved her record to 7-2 with the victory...and gave up just two singles in six frames of work. Freshman Laura Kate Moss finished up, hurling a scoreless seventh.

Shifflett posted three more hits in game two, all singles, and finished the day four-for-seven at the dish. Freshman Liz Andrews was also four-for-seven in the two games.

Penn State-Behrend is now 4-8 on the season following the split on a mild and pleasant day at Captains Park.

Christopher Newport struggled at the plate with runners on base, stranding 21 on the bags for the day. The Captains left nine runners on base in the opener, and a dozen in the nightcap.

CNU is now 15-7 on the season, and the 20th-ranked Captains host Richard Bland College Tuesday. The non-conference twin bill will begin at 4:00 p.m., and will be the final non-conference action of the season for the Captains.