HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University softball team opened the 2010 season on Saturday, dropping both games of a doubleheader to Christopher Newport, 7-3 and 5-2 at Lady Pirates Field.

The Captains took the first game 7-3, coming from behind to do so. The Lady Pirates (0-2) took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, thanks to an RBI single from Brooke Boykin (Riverside, Calif.) and a sacrifice fly to center field by Tamara Vickers (Lawndale, Calif.).

But CNU regained the lead, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning when Kristin Nickloy drove in a run with a single and the Captains drove in two more behind a throwing error. CNU added three more runs in the seventh inning, when Chelsea Mitchell banged a double and the Captains took advantage of another error.

Nickloy went 2-for-4 from the plate with a double and single, driving in a run. Kristen Rowe went four innings for the Captains in the win, striking out three and walking four. Elizabeth Holte went the rest of the way, striking out four in three innings of work.

Boykin had two of Hampton's five hits in the first game. Travonna Byrd (Newport News, Va.) went all seven innings, giving up four hits and striking out three.

CNU (2-0) struck first in the second inning of the second game, when Mitchell lofted a home run over the left-field wall. The Captains found the offense again in the sixth inning; Ashley Mani led off with a solo home run to left-center field, before Mitchell added a two-run shot to give CNU a 4-0 lead.

The Lady Pirates got on the board in the bottom of the inning, when Sharde' Estep (Aquasco, Md.) brought home a run with a double and Jada Jeffries (Lithonia, Ga.) hit an RBI single.

CNU added another run in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Megan Morris.

Mitchell led the Captains at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI. Holte went four innings in the win, giving up just one hit and walking two.

Estep went 2-for-3 to lead Hampton, while Jeffries went the distance on the mound. She struck out two and walked just one, giving up eight hits.

The Lady Pirates will return to action on Sunday, when they take on Canisius College in a pair of games starting at 11 a.m. at Lady Pirates Field. For more information on Hampton University softball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.