BURLINGTON, N.C. -- Top-seeded Christopher Newport downed 8th-seeded Averett University by a 5-1 score in the Captains' first game of the 2009 USA South Conference Softball Tournament. CNU hurler Kristen Rowe moved to 18-1 on the season with the win, going six innings and allowing one run (unearned) on six hits and striking out five.

The Captains got all the offense they would need in the first when they plated three runs on four hits. AU managed to plate a run in the second, but CNU answered with a pair of scores in the third for the eventual 5-1 victory.

Christopher Newport ripped eight hits as a team, led by a two-hit, three-RBI performance by Renee Ashworth. Averett's Kaci Bentley was 2-for-2.

CNU will take on #4 Peace at Noon on Saturday, while Averett will play an elimination game at 10:00 a.m.