NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Fourth-ranked Christopher Newport University and William Peace University split a Tuesday doubleheader in Raleigh, N.C. The Captains took the opener by a 7-0 score, and the Pacers held on for a 3-2 victory in the nightcap. Keith Parr's squad is now 18-8, while WPU is 7-14 following the twin bill.

The Captains took control early in the first game, scoring six times in the second inning. Christopher Newport was aided by three William Peace errors in the frame. After three runs had already crossed the plate thanks to miscues, senior Maddie Hool delivered a run-scoring double to give the Captains a 4-0 advantage. Junior Kaitlyn Hasty then came to the plate and crushed her seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot to complete the six-run inning.

The Captains would add another run in the sixth inning on a single from junior Sarah Proctor to complete the 7-0 final verdict. The seven runs were more than enough for senior Emily Weatherholtz and freshman Jessie Kantor, who pitched the combined shutout. Weatherholtz, the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week, threw the first five innings to earn the victory and improve to 9-2 on the year. Weatherholtz recorded four strikeouts, walked just one, and gave up four hits. Kantor finished by throwing two scoreless frames, allowing just one walk with one strikeout.

In the nightcap, the Pacers jumped to a 3-0 lead with three runs in the second inning off Captains starting pitcher Gracie Vallejos. The sophomore would settle down to throw scoreless softball the rest of the way. Christopher Newport was held scoreless at the plate by WPU starter Katherine Murphy through the first six innings before finally breaking through in the seventh. Junior Caroline Helmer drove home a run with a single to break the shutout, and then a second run scored on a popup off the bat of senior Keely Crittenden. Murphy wiggled out of trouble by inducing a groundout and a popup, as the Captains stranded the potential tying run at third base. Vallejos took the loss despite striking out eight in six innings, falling to 8-4 on the season.

The Captains had beaten the Pacers twice earlier this season at Captains Park, winning by scores of 4-2 and 11-8 in Newport News on March 3rd. Christopher Newport will open Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference action on Saturday at Captains Park. CNU will host the Knights of Southern Virginia for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m.