Top-seeded Christopher Newport completed its unblemished run through the 2017 CAC Softball Tournament with a 4-3 victory over fifth-seeded Mary Washington on Saturday in Newport News, Va., giving the Captains their third CAC title in the last four seasons. 

With the win, CNU earns the CAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. It will mark the 11th straight NCAA appearance for CNU and 15th in program history. NCAA selections and pairings will be made on Monday, May 8 at 1 p.m. at ncaa.com/liveschedule

Saturday's championship game was the fourth straight appearance for CNU and first for UMW since 2009. 

CNU jumped out to a 4-1 lead with two-run frames in the bottom of the first and third innings. UMW pulled within one in the fourth with a two-run inning of its own, but CNU pitcher Aubrey Bates retired all nine batters she faced in relief to earn her second save of the season and close out the contest for the Captains. 

CNU grabbed the lead with two runs in the bottom of the first as Liz Andrews drove in Grace Wild with a single to center. Andrews later scored on a wild pitch. Mary Washington cut the lead in half in the second on the first home run of the season from second baseman Kristen Lundquist. The 2-1 score held up until the home half of the third inning, when the Captains added two more. Birttney Walters hit a line drive down the third base line that was knocked down, but bounced into foul territory, allowing both Andrews and pinch-runner Abby Eichelberger to come across the plate and push the Captains advantage to 4-1.

As they had all through the three-day tournament, the Eagles again bounced back. Mary Washington scored two runs in the top of the fourth on an infield hit from third baseman Courtney Shea with the bases loaded, cutting the lead to 4-3. It would be all the Eagles could muster, and Bates came on in relief of McKnight to finish with a flourish.