NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Christopher Newport University softball team opened the 2026 season on Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader over Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. The Captains, ranked tenth in the country in the pre-season poll of coaches, won the opening game by a 6-3 score, and then downed the Monarchs in the nightcap, 14-2, in a game shortened to five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule.

In all, Keith Parr's squad scored 20 runs on 24 base hits in the two road victories at Price Field. CNU opened the day by scoring four times in the opening inning of the season, and held off the Monarchs in a 6-3 triumph. The Captains smacked three home runs, two by junior Natalie Quinlan and one by sophomore Kimberly Jones, and junior Candace Slaw registered three singles, scored a run, and stole a base as the Captains opened the new campaign with a win. Quinlan drove in four of the six CNU runs with a two-run home run in the opening inning, and another two-run shot in the fourth frame.

Sophomore Caroline Alger entered the opener in relief of junior starter Haylee Callahan in the third inning and earned the victory by throwing the final 4.2 innings. Alger did not allow a batter to reach base, retiring all 14 batters she faced, and struck out five Monarchs in her CNU debut. 

In the nightcap, the Captains again jumped ahead in the opening inning by scoring three times en route to the 14-2 final verdict. CNU added a run in the second, four in the third, and exploded for six more in the fourth to put the game away. 

Candace Slaw continued her big day in the second game, posting three more singles, stealing another base, and driving in three runs. She finished the day six-of-eight at the plate with two stolen bases, three runs batted in, and a run scored. Senior Isabel Hall joined Slaw in game two with three runs batted in for the Captains, and Kimberly Jones scored three times in the nightcap.

Freshman Cora Grace Sparger made her debut in the circle as a Captain, pitching all five innings of game two to pick up the win. Sparger allowed just one earned run and just two hits while striking out three Methodist batters. . 

Next up is Christopher Newport's home opener, which is set for Saturday, February 28th, vs. Moravian University at Captains Park. The first game of two is scheduled for a 12 noon first pitch.