NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The eighth-ranked Christopher Newport softball team kicked off 2024 in fine fashion as the squad swept its doubleheader against Ferrum on Saturday afternoon at Captains Park with a 6-0 win in the opener and a 7-1 triumph in the nightcap.

Against the Panthers, Jamie Martin set the tone in the circle with a six-inning gem to open the action. The third-year star struck out a career-high 13 batters in the opener, which equaled the sixth-highest total in program history. It also bumped her career total to 284, moving her to seventh on the school's all-time charts. She passed CNU Hall of Famer Jill Owens and recent standout Aubrey Bates with her performance on Saturday.

While Martin was continuing her historic career, Candace Slaw was penning an incredible opening chapter to her tenure with the Captains. In her first collegiate action, she finished the twin bill with five hits, four runs scored, and three stolen bases.

Adding even more luster to her accomplishment, Slaw became just the 15th freshman to record a four-hit outing after going 4-for-4 in the nightcap. On that list of luminaries, she placed her name alongside two-time All-American Patty Maye Ohanian and longtime legends Cathy Riddick and Mary Kennedy, whose retired numbers adorn the outfield fence at Captains Park.

Making her own smooth transition to the college game, Katrina Swan notched four hits during the doubleheader. Meanwhile, Katie Currin scored twice and knocked in a pair of runs, while Kendall Bentley reached base safely in three of her plate appearances and swiped a pair of bags.

Along with Martin's work in the opener, Kate Alger also added her own six-inning showcase in the second game. She surrendered just two hits while striking out eight.

Getting the action started quickly on Saturday, Slaw scored the game's first two runs. In the opening frame, she led off with a single, swiped second, and crossed the plate on a ground out by Currin. Two innings later, she reached on an error and was chased home by an RBI double off the bat of Caroline Pollock.

With an early advantage, Martin carved through Ferrum's lineup. She struck out a pair in each of the first four innings before sending three batters down on strikes in the fifth. Then, with little left to prove, she whiffed two more in the sixth to complete her masterpiece.

Meanwhile, the offense continued to click. Christopher Newport orchestrated a tremendous two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth after Currin and Pollock poked back-to-back singles. With two on, Bentley ripped a double to left center before Sammy Drew legged out a triple, which gave the hosts a comfortable 5-0 advantage.

One inning later, Slaw scored her third run on a single by Swan, while Haylee Callahan closed out the victory with a 1-2-3 seventh.

After a short break, the Captains continued to surge in the second game of the doubleheader. Once again, Slaw set the table as the freshman beat out an infield single, stole second, and scampered home with the first run of the contest.

Although Ferrum responded with an unearned run in the top of the second, CNU landed a counterblow in the bottom of the frame. Delaney Nuckols took advantage of two errors and a stolen base to open the scoring. Then, after Brenna Morefield added a base knock, Slaw drove her home with a single to left center.

Back on top, Alger took control. She sent a pair of batters down swinging in both the third and fourth before adding back-to-back perfect frames in the fifth and sixth.

Continuing to build on their lead, the Captains never lost momentum at the plate. In the third, Currin laced an RBI double before coming home on a Ferrum miscue. One inning later, Slaw continued her showcase with an RBI single before Nuckols chased in Marly Hoefler in the sixth.

Three outs away from the sweep, Olivia Kim took over in relief and induced a 5-4-3 double play to lock up the win and close out the festivities.

Along with their work at the plate and in the circle, the Captains also tore up the base paths. The hosts swiped 10 bags during the twin bill. Along with Slaw's three steals, Bentley, Nuckols, and Jules Donnelly had two apiece. Hoefler also snagged one before scoring the day's final run.

Christopher Newport will return to action on February 25 when the squad travels to Averett for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

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