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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The ninth-ranked Christopher Newport University softball team opened up the 2011 season today, earning a split of their doubleheader in the Early Bird Softball Tournament hosted by Methodist University. CNU fell to pre-season #3 Louisiana College, 10-0, before dropping Eastern Mennonite in the second game, 4-2.

Sophomore Jennifer Falin was the leader on the day for CNU, going 4-for-6 with two runs and two RBI, including a solo home run.

In the first game, the third-ranked Wildcats were led by senior All-American ace Rene' Schwartzenburg, tossing a complete game three-hit shutout. CNU rookie Candice Zollars and sophomore Chelsea Mitchell each had a single, while Falin swatted a double in the game.

On the hill, newcomer Whitney Haller was hurt big by two pitches in the second and third inning, as Louisiana's Carli Wheeler and Amber Thomas drove in all five runs on two swings. Wheeler blasted a three-run homer in the second and Thomas had a two-run home run in the third.

Louisiana would add five runs in the sixth, including hitting a third home run from Daniele Wilson.

The Captains would bounce back in game two of the tournament, facing the 2010 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Champion Eastern Mennonite squad. Sophomore Elizabeth Holte went the distance and struck out six in her 2011 debut, allowing just four hits and two earned runs.

In support of Holte, the Captains jumped out on top in the bottom of the first inning, as Falin slammed a solo home run to take the lead, 1-0. In the third inning, Zollars reached on a bunt single followed by an RBI single from Falin. CNU's second baseman would then trot home in front of the Captains all-time leader in homers, Jessie Atkinson, who added her first of the 2011 season to put CNU up, 4-0.

Eastern Mennonite would cut the lead in half in the top of the fourth inning on a pair of RBI singles, but Holte locked it down the rest of the way, allowing just one hit in the final three innings. She struck out five in the final three innings to earn the Captains first win of the season.

CNU will return to action at the Early Bird Invitational on Saturday, scheduled to play Piedmont College at 9:00 am and Roanoke College at 3:00 pm.