TUCSON, AZ - Christopher Newport won its 11th straight game Friday, defeating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges by a 7-3 score. The game was the first of six scheduled this weekend for Keith Parr's squad in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's (NFCA) Leadoff Classic.

Friday's second game with 19th-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor was declared a "no contest" after it was halted due to time restraints. The game is not scheduled to be made up.

The Captains, now 11-0 and ranked second in the nation, erupted after a slow start and plated two runs in the fifth inning, four in the sixth, and an insurance run in the top of the seventh to record the win at Lincoln Park. Sophomore catcher Bailey Roberts drove home two runs in the sixth frame with her third home run of the season. Sophomore Kaitlyn Hasty also went deep, crushing a solo shot in the seventh for the final run of the game. It was Hasty's fourth blast of the season.

Christopher Newport trailed 1-0 before three doubles in the fifth inning led to two runs. Senior Grace Wild, sophomore Hannah Hummel, and senior Maddie Hool recorded the two-baggers to put the Captains ahead. The lead would not last long, though, as the Athenas jumped back ahead, 3-2, with two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

The Captains answered in the sixth with Roberts' home run as well as RBI doubles from sophomores Caroline Helmer and Caitlin Abernethy. Five of the Captains nine hits were doubles in the victory. Hasty's home run in the seventh put an end to the scoring and sealed the win for senior starter Trish Webb, who went the distance allowing just one earned run on three hits. Webb is now 4-0 on the season. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps fell to 7-8 with the loss.

Christopher Newport continues play with two more games scheduled for Saturday and two on Sunday. The Captains will take on top-ranked and undefeated Texas Lutheran, the defending National Champions, as well as fifth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. Sunday's schedule has Christopher Newport playing the College of St. Benedict and Berry College.