NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In 12 innings of softball against Elmira College (0-2) on Friday afternoon, the Christopher Newport pitching staff surrendered just three hits and dominated the Eagles to a doubleheader sweep at Captains Park. CNU improved to 9-1 with a 6-0 win in game one and an 8-0 win in the second game, which was shortened to five innings due to the 8-run rule. 

Kate Alger put together another sensational start in game one for the Captains, striking out a season-high 13 batters in six innings of work. She cruised through the outing with just one hit and one walk allowed before giving way to Olivia Kim to finish out the win in the top of the seventh. Kim struck out one in a perfect 1-2-3 inning to slam the door on the Eagles and pick up the game one win for CNU. 

In game two, Haylee Callahan did her best to match the performance by her teammates in the first game by working quickly through the Elmira lineup. She struck out nine batters and wiggled out a fifth inning jam by stranding the bases loaded to set up the walk-off win in the bottom of the fifth for the Captains. It was the finest outing of Callahan's young career as she more than doubled her season strikeout count with nine punchouts and held the Eagles to just two hits. 

Offensively, second baseman Caroline Pollock carried the big stick on the day for Christopher Newport with back-to-back multi-run blasts in game two. In the bottom of the third inning, Katie Currin walked and stole second before Pollock worked her way back to a full count against the Elmira pitcher. She fell behind, 1-2, before fouling off multiple pitches and patiently waiting through an eight-pitch at-bat. The veteran then jumped on a 3-2 fastball and sent a screaming two-run shot into the scoreboard for her second home run of the season. The next time she approached the plate was one inning later when she came up with one out and runners at second and third. Katrina Swan singled in a run and Currin walked to set up a three-run blast to deep left center field by Pollock, breaking the game open to a 7-0 lead for CNU. 

Needing just one run to walk it off, the Captains quickly loaded the bases against Elmira in the bottom of the fifth. Delaney Nuckols singled with a hard shot through the left side and promptly stole second. Pinch hitter Gabby Gosman walked and Brooke Childress popped a single right over the second base bag to load the bases with just one out. With Pollock's spot in the order due up, head coach Keith Parr called on Olivia Tullous to pinch hit and the sophomore delivered with a groundball that chased in Nuckols, called safe at the plate on an obstruction call to finish the game. 

In game one, Alger needed just one run of support as she was dicing through the Eagles lineup including retiring 13 straight at one point. CNU gave her that run and more in the bottom of the third when Nuckols led off with a walk and stole second. Candace Slaw beat out an infield single and ripped off second base to get two rnuners in scoring position for Swan. The rookie grounded out to plate the eventual game-winning run in Nuckols and CNU tacked on another through a sacrifice fly by Currin. Pollock and Meredith Brickner provided back-to-back singles before Jules Donnelly stepped in and drove in another run with a double to right field. 

Holding onto a 4-0 lead, the Captains added an insurance tally in the bottom of the fifth when Brickner plated Pollock on a double into left center field. CNU finished out its scoring with an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth when Kendall Bentley singled and came all the way around to score on a throwing error during Mackenzie Sowonik's sacrifice bunt. 

While the pitching staff highlighted the afternoon with 23 strikeouts in the doubleheader, the offense featured an impressive performance by Caroline Pollock, going 4-for-6 with 5 RBI and 4 runs scored. Candace Slaw added a 3-for-5 day with three walks and six stolen bases; and, Delaney Nuckols had three hits and a walk on the day. 

Christopher Newport will return to action at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon as the Captains welcome Marymount University to Captains Park for a pair.