NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport returned to the softball field Thursday afternoon following a two-week break due to CoVID protocols. The fourth-ranked Captains split a doubleheader with previously-undefeated Bridgewater College at Captains Park, winning the first game, 7-0, before falling in the nightcap, 2-1.
Keith Parr's squad is now 15-7 following the split, while BC is now 9-1.
Senior pitcher
Emily Weatherholtz threw a complete game shutout in the opener, yielding no runs on just two hits while striking out four on a cloudy, breezy, and chilly day on the CNU campus. Junior
Bailey Roberts provided all the run support Weatherholtz would need, blasting a grand slam home run in the third inning to break a scoreless tie. It was the second home run of the season for Roberts, who now leads the Captains in batting this season with a .417 average.
The Captains would add an insurance run in the fourth when freshman
Jules Donnelly came home on a wild pitch, and then two more in the sixth thanks to an RBI triple from junior
Sarah Proctor and a run-scoring single from junior
Caitlin Abernethy that secured the 7-0 final verdict. Weatherholtz improved her record to 7-2 with the victory, while Eagles starter Emma Killion fell to 2-1 with the loss.
In the nightcap, sophomores
Gracie Vallejos and Brantley Swift of Bridgewater sailed through the first five innings of a scoreless pitcher's duel. The Eagles finally broke through by plating two runs in the sixth frame, and then held on for the win.
The Captains staged a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to break the shutout. Senior
Emerald Cheesbrew crushed a double followed by a run-scoring single off the bat of freshman
Caroline Pollock. CNU would bring the potential game-winning run to the plate, but came up short as Swift wiggled out of the jam by inducing a game-ending groundout.
Swift improved her record to 4-0 by allowing just one run on five hits while stranding five base runners. Vallejos fell to 7-3 after giving up just two runs on seven hits to the Eagles while striking out four.
The Captains get right back to action on Friday, as they travel for a doubleheader at the University of Lynchburg. The twin bill is set to begin at 2:30 p.m.
