LYNCHBURG, Va. -- In a rare Monday doubleheader, the second-ranked Christopher Newport softball team extended their win streak to 13 before seeing it snapped in game two as the Captains (20-4) split a doubleheader at the University of Lynchburg (20-14). CNU won 4-0 in the first game and then suffered an 8-2 setback in the second half of the twin bill.

Lynchburg, who was ranked as high as No. 16 earlier this season, handed Christopher Newport their first loss in over a month as the Captains last succumbed to Virginia Wesleyan on March 15. Since, CNU has run off an impressive streak of 13 consecutive wins, outscoring foes 90-13 in the roll. 

In game one, that dominance continued with C2C Pitcher of the Week Kate Alger in control for her 11th complete game of the season. With seven strikeouts, and two more in a relief appearance in game two, Alger now has 125 punchouts on the season to move into the top-ten all-time at CNU. The sophomore slipped past Whitney Haller (2011) for 10th on the all-time chart and sits just four shy of Michelle Kass (2003) for ninth. 

In the shutout, Alger scattered eight hits and two walks to keep Lynchburg off the board. The offense came to her aid with two runs in the third, a single tally in the fourth and one more in the fifth frame. 

Meredith Brickner delivered what would prove to be the game-winning blow with two outs in the top of the third. Abby Rochette led off the inning with a walk and then moved up to second on a single by Olivia Tullous. After another walk from Bianca Palmer-Scott loaded the bases, Brickner stepped in and blistered a hard line drive into right center field. With the runners off on the crack of the bat, two scored with ease to give the Captains a 2-0 lead. 

In the top of the fourth, a familiar sight added one more run to the scoreboard as Brooke Greaver continued her hot hitting ways on Monday. With a no-doubter to right field, Greaver added one more to her team-leading home run total, giving the second-year third baseman 12 on the year. The blast gave her a home run in five of the last six games and moved her into a tie with Sabrina Hill (2014) and Patty Maye Ohanian (2018) for the 8th most round-trippers in a single year. 

Greaver added another RBI with a single in the fifth to cap the opening game scoring. With Alger putting up zeroes, it was all the Captains would need to pick up win number 20 on the season. 

In game two, the Captains were locked in a pitchers duel with the host Hornets until the sixth inning when CNU teetered in front, 2-1, before a seven-run bottom half was enough to thwart the Captains' winning streak. Olivia Kim and Lynchburg's starter dueled through five frames with just one run combined before both teams got going in the sixth. 

First, trailing 1-0, the Captains appeared the steal the momentum when Rochette tied the game on a sacrifice fly to plate Palmer-Scott and Katie Currin gave CNU the lead  a single into right field. In the bottom half of the inning though, the first three Lynchburg batters reached to prompt a call to the bullpen. Alger struck out a batter with the bases loaded, but a walk and an error gave Lynchburg the lead back. Four of the next five batters singled and Lynchburg carried an 8-2 advantage into the final inning. 

In the top of the 7th, Tullous earned a two-out walk but would be stranded as the home team celebrated a streak-snapping win over CNU. Prior to Monday, the Captains had won nine straight against Lynchburg dating back to the 2015 season. 

Christopher Newport will return to action this weekend as they host a pair of doubleheaders at Captains Park. First, CNU will welcome Mary Washington on Friday, April 21st before entertaining Averett on Sunday, April 23rd.