NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University improved its record to 15-2 on Friday, following two home victories over the Violets of New York University. CNU took the opener at Captains Park, 2-0, and then captured the nightcap, 9-1, in a game shortened to five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule. The games were the first ever between the programs, and NYU fell to 5-9 with the losses.

The day began with a pitcher's duel in the opener on a breezy and chilly day at Captains Park. CNU junior Kate Alger and NYU freshman Karleigh Kluever made it tough for batters throughout the game, although the Captains pushed across single runs in the second and sixth frames for the 2-0 triumph. Alger yielded just two hits, both doubles, and struck out six in the complete-game shutout effort. Alger, now 7-2 on the season, is 14th in the country in total strikeouts, and has now fanned 66 batters in 57 innings of work this season.

The Captains, ranked fifth in the country, scored just twice despite nine hits in the opener, as Kluever stranded seven CNU runners. Fifth-year senior Delaney Nuckols drove home the first run with a second inning single, and it would prove to be the only run Alger would need. The Captains added an insurance run in the sixth when freshman catcher Marly Hoefler singled to produce the 2-0 final verdict. Senior third baseman Brooke Greaver, Nuckols, and Hoefler each posted two hits for the Captains as Kluever's record fell to 3-3 on the season.

 In the nightcap, the Captains broke open a scoreless game with five runs in the third inning, and then added two in the fourth and closed out the Violets with two in the fifth for the 9-1 win. Greaver had two more hits and drove in three runs with an RBI single and a two-run double, and finished the day with four hits in five at bats. Senior Katie Currin also had two hits in the second game, and freshman Candace Slaw crossed the plate three times for CNU.

Junior lefthander Jamie Martin earned the victory to improve to 3-0 for the season. Martin struck out five in five innings, and gave up just an unearned run on four hits. 

Christopher Newport's scheduled doubleheader vs. Salem College this weekend has been canceled. CNU will return to action on Thursday, March 28, hosting DePauw University at Captains Park. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.