TUCSON, AZ - The Christopher Newport softball team opened play on Friday in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's (NFCA) Leadoff Classic. On the first of three days of action, Keith Parr's squad, ranked 11th in the country this week, split a pair of games. The Captains opened with a 6-4 loss to Babson College (Ma.), but bounced back by recording a 5-2 victory over Central College (Ia.).

The Captains are now 4-2 on the season following the split at Lincoln Park Field. Sophomore pitcher Aubrey Bates earned the victory in the win over Central by going the distance and allowing two runs while scattering eight hits. Bates is now 3-0 so far this season.

CNU sophomore Tara Deck homered, a two-run shot in the second inning that put the Captains ahead, 3-1. CNU plated four of their five runs in the frame. Freshman catcher Emerald Cheesbrew was three-for-four in the triumph, and doubled home a run to start the scoring for the Captains in the second inning. CNU posted five runs on nine hits to support Bates' efforts in the pitching circle. Central, who had lost earlier in the day to open its season, fell to 0-2 with the defeat.

In the first game of the trip Friday, the Captains were defeated 6-4, thanks to a three-run seventh inning by Babson. The Captains answered by plating two runs in the bottom of the seventh but fell short. It was the first game of the season for Babson.

On Saturday, the Leadoff Classic continues as CNU plays the University of Rochester at 5:00 p.m. (ET). The Captains then take on 22nd-ranked George Fox with game time set for approximately 7:30 p.m. (ET)

The Leadoff Classic will conclude on Sunday in Tucson with two more games as CNU plays Otterbein at 4:00 p.m. (ET) and then 13th-ranked East Texas Baptist at approximately 6:30 p.m. (ET).