NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport opened its home softball schedule on the final day of February Sunday, and won both ends of a doubleheader on a cloudy and cool day at Captains Park. CNU defeated Randolph College by scores of 3-1 in the first game and 12-2 in the second game, which was shortened to five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule.
Keith Parr's squad is now 2-2 following the opening weekend of the season.
Sophomore
Gracie Vallejos pitched a complete game in the opener, as the Captains scored twice in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and record a 3-1 victory. Vallejos, now 1-1, struck out five and scattered five hits while yielding just one run.
Christopher Newport scored three times in the first game despite recording just four hits. Senior
Natalie Carmichael brought home the first run with an RBI infield groundout in the second inning. With the game tied at 1-1 in the sixth, senior
Emerald Cheesbrew broke the tie with a sacrifice fly and freshman
Kensley Hess' bunt single provided an insurance run.
The Captains awakened at the plate in the second game, scoring a dozen runs on nine hits in a 12-2 triumph. The game went just five innings due to the eight-run rule. Senior
Emily Weatherholtz made her 2021 debut in the circle, and allowed just one earned run on six hits in the victory. The Captains scored six runs on six hits in the fourth inning to blow the game open.
Senior
Patty Maye Ohanian drove home three runs on two hits in the nightcap, and junior center fielder
Sarah Proctor posted two RBI's with a sixth inning single, and also made a spectacular sprawling catch in the sixth inning of the opener.
Christopher Newport evened its record at 2-2 with the victories while Randolph is now 3-3 on the season.
The games Sunday at Captains Park marked the first home games since May 18, 2019, when Christopher Newport lost twice to Randolph-Macon in the NCAA Super Regional. Last season, CoVID-19 ended the Captains season after they won 12 of their first 13 games, all on the road or at neutral sites prior to the start of their home schedule.
The Captains, ranked third in the nation in the pre-season national poll of coaches, opened the 2021 campaign with two losses at fourth-ranked Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday. Christopher Newport continues play at home on Wednesday with a doubleheader vs. William Peace. Game time for the opener is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
