SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University softball team split its doubleheader against Christopher Newport University on Monday, losing their first game 5-3 and then making a comeback in the second game to win in extra innings, 5-4.

The Captains (5-1) wasted no time in the first inning of the first game as they took advantage of a Sea Gull error and scored two runs. Christopher Newport struck again in the fourth inning as they recorded three more runs for a 5-0 lead.

Junior pitcher Kelsey Mills (Frederick, Md.) took the loss, allowing five hits and five runs, just three earned, in four innings of work. Junior Kelly Leary (Severn, Md.) came on in relief and allowed one hit as she struck out five of the 11 batters she faced.

With two on base and one out, senior Amanda DeMoine (Baltimore, Md.) came in to pinch hit and blasted her first home run of the season deep into right center field to cut the Sea Gull deficit to 5-3. Unfortunately, the late surge was not enough to capture the win but it paved the way for the second game of the doublerheader.

In the second game, CNU would get on the board first with one run in the top of the third inning but SU answered back in the bottom of the third as Brenneman hammered her first home run of the season over the left field fence to bring in three runs.

Salisbury held the 3-1 lead until CNU's Jesse Atkinson answered back with a home run to tie the game in the top of the sixth.

Sophomore pitcher Erika Brittingham (Georgetown, Del.) was able to keep the Captains from scoring any additional runs in the seventh inning, sending the game to extra innings. Brittingham allowed six hits, walked six and struck out four batters in 7 1/3 innings in the circle. Brittingham was charged with a run in the top of the eighth, giving the Captains a one-run advantage. Leary came in to relieve Brittingham in the eighth and kept the score 4-3, allowing no hits and striking out one, setting her team up for the chance to come from behind.

The Gulls rose to the occasion in the bottom of the eighth inning and brought in two runs, one off the bat of senior first baseman Ali Ritter (Belvidere, N.J.) and the game winner was brought in due to the good eye of freshman outfielder Sarah Alpaugh (Eldersburg, Md.) who was patient at the plate with bases loaded and drew a walk forcing home senior Jen Cahall (Elkton, Md.).

The Sea Gulls will next play on Friday, March 5 as they travel to Virginia Beach, Va., to play in the Virginia Wesleyan Tournament. They will first face off against Frostburg State University at 1 p.m.