ALLIANCE, OHIO – Penn College fell, 3-2, against Christopher Newport in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Alliance Regional Thursday afternoon. The Wildcats dropped to 33-8, while the Captains improved to 28-11.

Penn College will play an elimination game Friday, 1:30 p.m., against Lebanon Valley, while Christopher Newport will take on Mount Union at 11 a.m. The second elimination game is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Penn College struck early in the top of the first inning as Carissa Lusk hit a leadoff single and moved around the bases on a Sofia Mileto single and a Payton Crawford walk, before scoring on a bunt single by Taylor Brown. CNU responded with a run in the bottom of the inning before the game turned to a pitcher's duel between Mackenzi Tice and Caroline Alger. 

The Wildcats went up 2-1in the sixth inning when Harley Kunes roped a double to center to send in Addison Detweiler from second base. The Captains took over the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning with two solo home runs to snatch the victory. 

Tice struck out six and allowed just five hits while Mileto finished with a pair of hits for the Wildcats offense.