NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- A four-run surge in the bottom of the sixth inning pushed Christopher Newport University's Captains in front 13-11 Thursday en route to a 16-12 non-conference victory at Captains' Field. (Box)

CNU (6-1) took a 7-2 lead with a big seven-run second inning, but the Marlins (4-3) chipped away at the deficit and moved in front 9-7 in the top of the fifth inning.  The Captains tied the game in the bottom of the inning, only to see VWC move back in front 11-9 in the top of the sixth.  CNU came back with its four-run output to take the lead for good.

The teams combined to knock out 30 hits, 15 by each squad. Sophomore Jacob Pierce (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) belted a home run and double in a 3-for-3 showing at the plate for the Marlins.  Ryan Estrella (Bridgeport, Conn./Trumbull) also connected for a home run and three runs-batted-in.  Myles Shipp (Virginia Beach/First Colonial) contributed to the VWC offense with a double and single and Mike McCutcheon (Chesapeake, Va./Deep Creek) belted out a pair of doubles and drove in four runs. 

Virginia Wesleyan used eight pitchers, including Jake Newton (DeRuyter, N.Y./DeRutyer), who started, and Reid Hoffler (Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River), who took the loss. 

Christopher Newport put five pitchers on the mound, starting with senior Tyler McElheny (Lorton, Va./Hayfield).  Greg Goldsmith (Falls Church, Va./George Marshall) was the Captains' winning pitcher.

Matt Shoemaker (Newport News, Va./Menchville) led the CNU offense with a 4-for-4 showing, including two doubles and a home run.

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Saturday, Feb. 26, in Old Domininon Athletic Conference play at Hampden-Sydney College in a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.

--AMDG--