NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In non-conference action Wednesday evening, the Meredith College softball team dropped two games versus former USA South foe Christopher Newport, ranked eighth nationally in the latest NFCA poll.

The Captains started off strong scoring five runs on seven hits with a pair of Meredith missteps through the first two innings on the day, but Avenging Angel Katie Keply sacrificed her at-bat in the top of the third to score Charley Cox.

Unfortunately, CNU's Scoop Simon notched her second homer of the game in the bottom of the frame to extend the Captain lead to seven.

With Brittany Bucklin and Alyssa D'Arco on the corners in the top of the fourth, Cox hit one in the left field gap to drive in Bucklin.

But CNU scored two more in the next inning to end the game early with a win.

In her fourth career appearance, Leigh Ann Charles pitched 4.0 innings allowing nine hits with seven earned runs and a pair of walks for the loss. Lauren Marbrey entered in the fifth to close out the game. Christopher Newports Tara Heatwole recorded her 11th win on the day allowing seven hits with two earned runs, three walks, and one strikeout.

CNU maintained the momentum into game two taking a 3-0 lead after the first two innings. In the top of the fourth, Bryce Smith doubled down the left field line and Maria Annunziata drove her home to put the Angels on the board.

But the Captains scored four runs on five hits in the bottom of the frame to extend their lead six.

In the top of the sixth, Meredith loaded the bases on a double from Courtney Saunders and a pair of walks from Janelle Sanford and Annunziata. Sarah Watson scored Saunders on a fielder's choice to short, but the run would be the last for the Angels.

Taylor Jackson took the loss for the Angels allowing eight hits with six earned runs, three walks, and four strikeouts. Charles stepped in to close out the final 2.1 innings and allowed one hit with a pair of walks and one strikeout. Hanah Marshall notched her seventh win for the Captains.

Meredith returns to their home field to close out the USA South schedule on a doubleheader weekend. The Angels face off with Maryville Saturday afternoon and follow with Averett on Senior Sunday.