(NEWPORT NEWS, Va.) – In a battle between nationally ranked teams, No. 19 Randolph-Macon was swept by No. 11 Christopher Newport on Wednesday afternoon. Game 1 saw the Yellow Jackets edged in extra innings, while the second saw the Captains take an early lead and hold off the Jackets' comeback attempt.

The Basics

Score: Game 1 – No. 19 Randolph-Macon 3, No. 11 Christopher Newport 4 (8 innings)
Game 2 – No. 19 Randolph-Macon 4, No. 11 Christopher Newport 9

Venue: Captains Park

Records: R-MC 10-7-1, CNU 22-8

How It Happened (Game 1):

• The Jackets initially got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when Shelby Hill (Sr., Mechanicsville, Va. / St. Margaret's) singled up the middle to score Olivia Allen (Fr., Dinwiddie, Va. / Dinwiddie). Allen was pinch running for Erin Doyle (Sr., Moseley, Va. / Cosby) who reached on a walk.
• Rilee Baughan (So., Warsaw, Va. / Rappahannock), who singled in the previous at-bat, later scored on a bunt single by Olivia Owens (Fr., Salisbury, Md. / James M. Bennett) to make the score 2-0.
• The Captains answered with a run in the bottom of the frame when Keely Crittenden scored on fielder's choice by Sarah Proctor.
• The hosts later tied the game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh as Kensley Hess stole home while Bianca Palmer-Scott was caught stealing second to end the frame.
• Randolph-Macon regained the lead in the next inning when Kamryn Steinruck (Sr., Glen Allen, Va. / Glen Allen) scored on a fielder's choice by Hill. Steinruck started off the frame on second via the international tiebreaker.
• The Captains would have the last say in the matter, however, as they loaded the bases during their turn at bat. With one out, CNU proceeded to load up the bases before Caitlin Abernethy singled in two runs for the walk-off win.

Inside The Numbers (Game 1):

• Baughan went 2-for-3 to lead the offense. It was her first multiple hit game of the season and fourth of her career.
• Madie Rhoads (Sr., Portsmouth, Va. / Nansemond River) struck out seven batters in the game, giving her five consecutive games of at least six strikeouts.

How It Happened (Game 2):

• Christopher Newport opened the game with one run in the first and added five more in the fifth for a 6-0 lead.
• Ali Celiberti (Sr., Powhatan, Va. / Powhatan) hit a grand slam in the top of the sixth to spark a comeback attempt to make the score 6-4, but the Captains answered with three more in the bottom of the inning.

Inside The Numbers (Game 2):

• Celiberti's home run was the third of the season and her first career grand slam. It's the first time she's had four RBI in a game since doing so last year against Allegheny at home on March 6.

Up Next

The Jackets will return to the diamond when they entertain Shenandoah with a doubleheader this Saturday. First pitch with the Hornets is set for 1 p.m.