NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – No. 12 Christopher Newport University defeated the Averett University softball team 9-3 and 12-4 in a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Captains Park. 
 
In the first matchup, Averett (3-6) climbed ahead in the first inning when freshman infielder Skylar Dudley grounded out to shortstop, sending freshman outfielder Taylor Hodges home. Later on, Christopher Newport (6-0) managed to take a 2-1 lead with a double to left field from Meagan Jones. After CNU moved three runs up, sophomore Amanda Wright batted in freshman Andrea Grant to close the gap to two, but the Captains posted five runs in the sixth inning, sparked by Rachael Payne's single to center field, to pull ahead, and Averett was unable to catch up.
 
Senior pitcher Mary Beth Smith went 2-for-3 with one RBI while junior shortstop Jessica Long finished 2-for-4 with a double.
 
The second game ended in similar fashion. Senior second baseman Taylor Dix nailed a double to right center in the top of the second that led to run from senior right fielder Rhyan Scearce, and the Cougars found themselves ahead again. The Captains responded in the bottom half of the frame with two outs and two runners on base. Jones also hit a double to center field, but her hit batted in the two runners to give CNU a 2-1 lead.
 
This time, Averett answered in the third as Smith crushed a homer to left field that sent freshman Essence Pulliam home to knot the game at 3.  Long also hit a home run in the fifth inning, but the Captains scored in each frame for the remainder of the game, while halting Averett, to take the non-conference victory.  
 
Scearce went 2-for-3 with a double and Pulliam also notched a double of her own.
 
The Cougars make their way back to the field on Wednesday, March 2, in their home opener against Lynchburg College. The doubleheader begins at 1:30 p.m.