NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport took both ends of a non-conference softball doubleheader Sunday, beating Roanoke by scores of 8-0 and 6-1 at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va. Keith Parr's team is now 11-3 to start the 2018 season, while the Maroons fell to 11-9.

The Captains, ranked sixth in the country, plated eight runs in the fifth inning of the opening game to record the 8-0 victory. The game was stopped after five due to the eight-run mercy rule. The pitcher's duel was put to an end when CNU scored eight runs on five hits in the frame breaking a scoreless tie. Sophomores Liz Andrews and Tara Deck and senior Savannah Couch all drove in two runs in the big inning by delivering two-run singles.

Freshman Emily Weatherholtz made her second start of the season and threw all five innings for Christopher Newport, allowing no runs on just two hits, and improved to 3-0 on the year with the victory.

In the second game, sophomore Aubrey Bates got plenty of run support as the Captains scored twice in the first, second, and fourth innings on the way to the 6-1 verdict. Bates pitched five strong innings and improved to 5-0 on the season, yielding no runs on just four hits.

The Captains posted nine hits in the nightcap after recording five in the opener. Senior centerfielder Leah Andrews and freshman leftfielder Saige Cisler each had two hits and sophomore catcher Calah Savage drove in two runs in the second game for Christopher Newport.

CNU will travel to Rocky Mount on Wednesday for two games at North Carolina Wesleyan. The non-conference twin bill is set to begin at 2:00 p.m.