NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University opened a busy weekend of softball action on Saturday by splitting two games at Emory & Henry College in Emory, Va. The Captains, ranked fourth in the country in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) weekly poll, defeated Emory & Henry, 4-1, before losing to Transylvania University, 15-7, in a game shortened to five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule. Keith Parr's squad is now 12-4 following the split.

The Captains opened the day with another remarkable pitching performance from sophomore Gracie Vallejos, who allowed just one on seven hits in a 4-1 victory over host Emory & Henry. Vallejos went the distance and struck out ten while walking just one, and yielded just a fourth inning run, as she improved her record to 6-1 on the season.

The Captains broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth frame when freshman Jules Donnelly cracked a three-run home run, her second of the season. The long ball gave Vallejos all the support she would need. CNU later added a single run in the fifth inning when senior Maddie Hool's groundout scored junior Sarah Proctor to provide the 4-1 final verdict. The win for the Captains handed the Wasps their first loss of the year, as Emory & Henry fell to 9-1 with the defeat.

In the second game of the day, the Pioneers of Transylvania University slammed three home runs and closed out the Captains with six runs in the fourth inning in a 15-7 triumph. Transylvania, located in Lexington, Kentucky, came into the day undefeated before losing to Emory & Henry Saturday morning in the opening game of the day. The Pioneers improved to 8-1 with the win over the Captains.

Junior Caroline Helmer doubled with the bases loaded in the top of the third inning, driving home three runs to cut TU's lead to one, 6-5. The Pioneers would answer with three runs in the bottom of the frame and then add six in the fourth inning to end the game. Senior Emily Weatherholtz suffered her first loss of the season for the Captains, falling to 5-1 on the year. Christopher Newport's defense committed three errors in the game, resulting in six unearned runs.

Play for the Captains will continue at Emory & Henry on Sunday. Christopher Newport will have a re-match with Transylvania at 10:00 a.m., and later play Emory & Henry again at 3:00 p.m. No visiting spectators will be admitted to the games due to CoVID protocols. Live video for the games will again be available HERE

Live stats for the games at Emory & Henry Sunday will be available HERE