NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Fifth-year senior Delaney Nuckols had three hits and drove in three runs, and freshman Candace Slaw also posted three hits and scored twice Saturday, as third-ranked Christopher Newport University wrapped up its regional in the rain at Captains Park by beating Pfeiffer University, 6-4. The victory was the 18th straight for the Captains, and improved Keith Parr's team to 33-5 on the season. CNU will next play Rowan University in a best-of-three Super Regional next Friday and Saturday at a site still to be determined.

The start of the regional final game was delayed three hours by rain, but once the teams were able to take the field, the scoring came early and often. CNU jumped on top with two runs in the first inning, only to see the Falcons surge ahead with three in the second. After the Captains pulled even with a run in the second, Pfeiffer, Champions of the USA South Athletic Conference, re-claimed the lead, 4-3, with a run in the third. The Captains bounced right back with a big frame in the bottom of the third, scoring three times to take a 6-4 lead. CNU starting pitcher Kate Alger and Pfeiffer reliever Emma Bullin then settled in and didn't allow another run the rest of the way, as the Captains ended the Falcons season with a record of 45-4.

Slaw and Nuckols got the Captains going with back-to-back singles in the opening inning, and Slaw scored the first run of the game thanks to a throwing error by the Falcons. Nuckols then came home on a double by senior Brooke Greaver to stake the Captains to a 2-0 lead. Pfeiffer's three-run second inning was aided by two CNU throwing errors, and two of the three runs were unearned. Nuckols evened the game in the second inning with an RBI single, scoring pinch runner Reagin Luby to knot the score at 3-3.

The Captains again found themselves trailing in the third after a Pfeiffer single run in the top half of the inning that made it a 4-3 game. Again, it was Slaw and Nuckols taking the spotlight. Junior Meredith Brickner smacked a one-out single, and freshman Marly Hoefler was inserted as a pinch runner. After Hoefler stole second, freshman catcher Mackenzie Sowonik walked. With two on and two out, Slaw delivered an RBI single up the middle to tie the game at 4-4. Nuckols then provided what proved to be the winning runs with a double to centerfield scoring both Slaw and Sowonik to make it 6-4.

Alger found her groove after a tough start, and held the Falcons scoreless over the last four innings to earn the victory, striking out eight and improving her record to 16-4 on the season. Alger was chosen for the All-Tournament team for her two victories and 22 strikeouts over 14 innings of work, and was aided by outstanding defense over the final two innings. Alger started a double play in the fifth inning, throwing to second base and turning two. Greaver made two strong plays at third base in the sixth frame, and also turned two on an infield grounder. Senior outfielder Brooke Childress also made a fantastic catch in right, retreating on a fly to make the grab after initially starting in on the play to open the seventh inning.

The matchup was just the fourth meeting all-time of the schools, and CNU has now won three of the four. Pfeiffer starter Kali Morton took the loss to fall to 25-2 for the season after giving up five runs over the first two and two-thirds innings.  

Slaw, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the regional, posted six hits in 11 at bats in the three games, and also scored three runs, drove in two, and stole two bases. Seniors Jules Donnelly (four for eight at the plate), Nuckols (four for nine), and Greaver (three for nine) were also named to the team. 

Christopher Newport went 3-0 in the regional this week at Captains Park, beating John Jay College (4-1), Ramapo College (7-4), and Pfeiffer University (6-4) on consecutive days to advance to the Super Regionals to play Rowan, Champions of the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The site of the best-of-three Super Regional will be announced later this weekend. Rowan defeated MIT on Saturday to advance to the final 16.

The complete All-Regional Team:
Candace Slaw - CNU - Most Outstanding Player
Kate Alger - CNU
Jules Donnelly - CNU
Brooke Greaver - CNU
Delaney Nuckols - CNU
---
Kenzi Lyall - Pfeiffer
Charly Cooper - Pfeiffer
Emma Chopko - Pfeiffer
---
Avery Kontura - Ramapo
Alexis Corra - Ramapo