NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University opened Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference action on Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader from Southern Virginia University. The Captains, ranked sixth in the country, won the opener by a 14-0 score, and then took the nightcap by a 12-0 verdict. Both victories on a sunny and pleasant day at Captains Park came in five inning games due to the eight-run mercy rule.

Keith Parr's team tallied 23 hits to go with the 26 runs scored in the twin bill. CNU pitching, meanwhile, allowed no runs on just three hits as Christopher Newport improved to 20-8 on the season and 2-0 in the C2C. The Knights of Southern Virginia fell to 4-14 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

The Captains had two huge innings in the opening game, scoring nine times in the second frame and five more times in the third on the way to the 14-0 triumph. Junior first baseman Caroline Helmer was three-for-three in the first game for CNU, including a two-run home run in the second inning, her third of the season.

In the nightcap, the Captains again enjoyed a big second frame, plating seven runs en route to the 12-0 victory. Junior third baseman Kaitlyn Hasty crushed a two-run home run in the third inning, her eighth of the season and 31st of her CNU career. The All-American is fourth on the all-time home run list, and her four runs batted in for the day Saturday give her 103 in her career as a Captain. 

Senior Emily Weatherholtz earned the victory in the opener, and improved her record to 10-2 on the season. Sophomore Gracie Vallejos got the win in the nightcap, and is now 9-4 on the year. Both CNU starters pitched the first four innings, allowing no runs to the Knights. Freshman Jessie Kantor pitched the fifth inning in both games, also hurling scoreless softball.

Christopher Newport is set to return to non-conference play on Wednesday, when the Captains host the Yellow Jackets of Randolph-Macon College. The twin bill is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. at Captains Park.