VIRGINIA BEACH -- A disastrous final inning in Monday's opening game against Christopher Newport University and a big catch in the bottom of the final inning in game two combined for a double setback for host Virginia Wesleyan College.

In game one, VWC (15-9) led 6-5 entering the seventh inning, sparked by the earlier hitting from senior Jaclyn Quinn (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory), who belted a double and two singles, and sophomore Tori Higginbotham (Glen Allen, Va./J.R. Tucker), who added three singles.

Virginia Wesleyan jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. as Kristina Karagiorgis (Ashburn, Va./Briar Woods), Andrea Shannon (Newville, Pa./Big Spring) and Quinn all singled to help move runners and score runs. 

But, No. 14-ranked CNU (24-6) got all the breaks it needed in the seventh, sending in nine runs to put the game on ice.  The Captains not only took advantage of three Marlin errors, but also connected for six hits, led by two from Chelsea Mitchell (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis).

Virginia Wesleyan had a final inning at bat, but could not muster any offense.

Game two had a more thrilling finish however, as Higginbotham ripped a bases loaded pitch deep into center field.  But, CNU's Felicia Price made the catch against the fence to take the game-winner from the Marlins.

CNU led throughout the second game, taking a two run advantage with the help of a Jen Falin (Williamsburg, Va./Bruton) double.

Virginia Wesleyan added a run in sixth and had things going in the seventh, only to see it snuffed out.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on April 6, hosting Division II Virginia State University in a twinbilll starting at 2:30 p.m.

--AMDG--