NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Rain showers delayed the start of action Friday at Captains Park, but once the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament got underway, top-ranked Christopher Newport University continued its winning ways. The Captains, Champions of the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference, coasted to an 8-0 victory over Wilson College in a game shortened to five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule.

The Captains, now 38-1, won their 15th straight game and improved their record at home this season to 22-0. Sophomore Katie Currin delivered the key blow, a first inning grand slam, as CNU batted around and scored six times in the opening frame. Two more runs in the third inning would provide enough offense for the Captains to put an early end to the first meeting ever of the schools.

CNU loaded the bases to start the game as seniors Caitlin Abernethy singled, Bailey Roberts walked, and Kaitlyn Hasty was hit by a pitch leading to Currin's blast to left field, her eighth home run of the season. Later in the inning, senior Natalie Carmichael singled and senior Sarah Proctor walked, and both scored on a double off the bat of senior Maddie Hool.  

In the third inning, senior Caroline Helmer walked and Carmichael doubled leading to more scoring for the Captains. Helmer would come home on a wild pitch, and Carmichael would cross the plate on a groundout by Abernethy to account for the 8-0 final verdict. Proctor also reached base in the inning on a walk, and stole second for her 23rd steal of the season on 23 attempts. Proctor has now swiped 69 consecutive bases, the second-longest streak in NCAA Division III history. She is 72 of 73 in her career as a Captain, also second highest in stolen base percentage in NCAA history.

Freshman Jamie Martin and junior Abby Rochette combined on the five-inning shutout. Martin threw the first three frames, giving up just two hits while striking out four. She improved her record to 16-1 on the season with the victory. Rochette tossed the final two perfect innings, facing just six batters.

Christopher Newport is scheduled to play Messiah University at 11:00 a.m. Saturday as the four-team Regional continues. The Falcons opened the day by beating Hunter College by a 3-0 score following a two-hour delay due to thunderstorms. Saturday's schedule includes three games in all, with start times set for 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Hunter and Wilson will play in the 1:30 p.m. battle in the first elimination game of the double elimination tourney.

This is the 15th consecutive NCAA Tournament for the Captains, and 19th in the 38-year history of the CNU program. CNUsports.com will have further information throughout the day Saturday on the continuing Regional schedule and any changes that may have to be made in the event of more thunderstorms.