NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christopher Newport University's baseball Captains scored five runs in the middle of Tuesday's non-conference game at Captains Park to help post a 9-2 victory over the Virginia Wesleyan College Marlins.

Virginia Wesleyan, which had a three-game winning streak stopped with the loss, scored in the top of the sixth inning to cut into a 4-0 CNU lead.  Rookie C. J. Lindsay (Remington/Bealeton Liberty) led off with a walk, moved to second on a single by rookie Chris Gilliam (Mechanicsville/Hanover), and advanced to third when senior Brett Sutryk (Bath, N.Y./Haverling) walked.  A passed ball scored Lindsay.

The Marlins (3-5) did not score again until the top of the ninth when rookie Taylor Erby (Norfolk/Lake Taylor) tallied on a single into left by junior Casey King (Virginia Beach/Bayside).  Erby singled earlier in the inning. 

Virginia Wesleyan let a major scoring threat slip away in the top of the third when the Marlins loaded bases with a single by rookie Nic Kurz (Yorktown/Grafton), a walk to rookie Ty Boothe (Virginia Beach/Floyd E. Kellam), and a walk to Erby. The big hit eluded the Marlins however, as CNU (4-4) escaped without giving up a run.

VWC also left bases loaded inthe sixth.  After recording the run by Lindsay, Gilliam moved to third and Sutryk to second.  The Marlins kept things going when rookie Justin Erby (Norfolk/Lake Taylor) drew a walk, but that's where it ended as the Marlins could not find the damaging hit.

Overall, it was a game of missed opportunities for the Marlins, who left 14 runners stranded. 

Both teams recorded nine hits.  Taylor Erby and Kurz led Virginia Wesleyan with two each. Billy Steele (Mechanicsville/Lee-Davis) posted a 4-for-4 day for CNU, including two doubles.

Sophomore Sean Greiser (Virginia Beach/Floyd E. Kellam) was the first of four pitchers for VWC.  He worked five innings, striking out eight batters, walking six and allowing four hits and four earned runs.  Reed Duffer (Keysville/Randolph Henry), Jake Miner (Kingman, Ariz./Kingman), and Kevin Jeff (Virginia Beach/Cairo American College, Egypt) all pitched an inning each.

CNU used five pitchers, including game-winner Jacob Vaughan (Clifton Forge/Alleghany). He struck out three, walked four, and allowed five hits in five innings.

Virginia Wesleyan will get the opportunity to avenge the loss when the teams meet again on Thursday, March 13, at 2 p.m. on Marlins Field on the Virginia Wesleyan campus.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Saturday, March 1, opening Old Dominion Athletic Conference play by hosting the Quakers of Guilford College in a doubleheader slated to begin at 12 p.m. at Marlins Field.

--AMDG--