NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Christopher Newport University softball team split a twin bill on Saturday in the Grand Slam Triangle Classic in Raleigh, N.C. Keith Parr's squad opened the day with a loss to Tufts University, 11-8, but bounced back to beat Muhlenberg College, 7-2, in the second game of the day.

In the opening game, the Captains battled back from an early 3-0 deficit, scoring four runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth, to take an 8-5 lead. Tufts, however, battled from behind and scored five times in the bottom of the seventh inning, smacking a grand slam home run to walk off with the 11-8 final tally. 

CNU was led at the plate by leadoff hitter Candace Slaw's three-for-three effort, scoring twice and driving in a run. Katrina Swan tripled in two runs in the fourth frame, and Cora Thomas tripled in two more runs in the fifth. Simone Thompson also drove in two with a double in the fifth. In all, the Captains registered eight runs on eight hits in the loss. Tufts improved to 3-0 to start the season with the victory.

Christopher Newport fell behind in the second game of the day as well, only to bounce back and down Muhlenberg, 7-2. The Captains plated three runs in the fourth, and added three more in the sixth on the way to the win. Brooke Zuber and Cora Thomas provided most of the offense, as Zuber went three-for-three at the plate and drove in five of CNU's seven runs. Three of the runs came on Zuber's three-run home run in the fourth frame that put the Captains ahead to stay. Thomas, meanwhile, added an insurance run with an RBI single in the sixth as the Captains recorded their fourth victory of the season.

Haylee Callahan went the distance in the circle vs. the Mules, upping her record to 2-1 with the victory. Callahan allowed just two first inning runs and then held Muhlenberg scoreless the rest of the way, stranding 11 runners in the process. The Mules fell to 3-1 with the defeat.

The Captains are now 4-4 on the season, and will take on William Peace University on Sunday, with first pitch set for 12 noon. CNU will conclude the weekend with a 2:30 p.m. game Sunday vs. Sweet Briar College in Raleigh.

Following Sunday's action, Christopher Newport will return home to play in the Cross Bay Bash next weekend at Captains Park. CNU will play two games each day, taking on the University of Rochester (11:00 a.m.) and Southern Virginia University (4:00 p.m.) on Saturday, March 14th, and Rochester (1:30 p.m.) and Susquehanna University (4:00 p.m.) on Sunday, March 15th.