NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The host Christopher Newport Captains, ranked eighth nationally among Division III softball programs, swept Meredith College 17-4 and 8-0 in Saturday's non-conference action. Eran Artigues with two RBI and Maria Annunziata three-for-three at the plate led the Avenging Angels.

Game 1
The Captains combined for a 4-0 lead through the first two innings, but Meredith finally responded in the third with thre runs on four hits with two outs on the board. Haley Ervin and Kelsey Mabe both advanced with a single, and Sarah Watson drove in Ervin with a hit to right. Watson moved to second on the throw home to set up Artigues for her two-RBI single.

In the bottom of the frame, CNU notched an impressive 10 runs on seven hits, including back-to-back homers, with help from two errors to pull away from the Angels.

Bryce Smith led off with a solo home run in the top of four, but the Captains scored three more in the bottom of the frame to extend their lead. With two outs in the top of the fifth, Cecilia Coleman drilled a double down the right field line to keep the Avenging Angels for one more at-bat, but the Captains closed out for an early win.

Payton Aldridge faced 21 batters allowing 10 hits with four earned runs and one strikeout for the loss. Emily Clemmons entered in the third for the Angels to face the remaining 14 Captains. Emily Weatherholtz pitched four innings for Christopher Newport for the win.

Game 2
Christopher Newport's Audrey Bates struck out 8-of-24 Angels, and her defense held Meredith to six hits in the shut out. Meredith put runners on first and second in the fourth and Mabe doubled in the fith, advancing to third on a wild pitch. But all runners were left stranded.

Taylor Jackson earned her sixth loss pitching through the first 4.1 innings. Myah Morse entered in the fifth to close out the game.

The Avenging Angels host St. Andrews tomorrow for Senior Day. Nine players will be honored during the 1 p.m. doubleheader.