NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Virginia Wesleyan College's baseball Marlins came up with a three-run inning Wednesday to take the lead against No. 4 ranked Christopher Newport University.

But, it wasn't enough in the long run as the hosting Captains exploded for a seven-run third inning and tacked on nine runs through the fifth and sixth en route to posting an 18-5 non-conference victory.

CNU (4-0) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but VWC (1-2) answered in the top of the second.  After a lead-off out, junior JoshMiller (Norfolk, Va./Chesapeake Greenbrier Christian), sophomore Buddy Lawson (Virginia Beach/First Colonial), and rookie Casey King (Virginia Beach/Bayside) all drew walks to load the bases.  Senior Anthony Siracusa (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) ripped a single up the middle to score one, junior Pike Brynildsen (Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams) followed with a single to right center to tie the game, and junior Matt Ittner (Virginia Beach/Frank W. Cox) put down a sacrifice bunt to send in the go-ahead run.

After CNU notched its seven-run inning to take the lead for good, Virginia Wesleyan scored two runs in the fourth. Lawson and King drew back-to-back walks, before Siracusa singled to third to load the base.  Brynildsen followed at the plate and drove a single into left field to send two runs in.

Brynildsen and Siracusa paced VWC with a pair of hits each.  Eight Marlins took turns on the mound, with sophomore Brooks Kirby (Warwickshire, United Kingdom/Cobham School) picking up the loss. The Marlin crew gave up 18 hits, seven walks, and 15 earned runs.  They recorded four strikeouts, including three by rookie Wes Carmichael (Manteo, N.C./Manteo).

CNU used five pitchers, including Jordan Boze, who worked two innings and picked up the win. 

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Friday, Feb. 24, with another challenge as the Marlins face Division I Hofstra University at 2:30 p.m. at Marlins Field.

--AMDG--