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Box Score 2 BURLINGTON, NC – Christopher Newport's baseball team defeated NC Wesleyan twice and endured a lengthy rain delay in between to capture the 2008 USA South Tournament Championship Sunday.
CNU defeated the Bishops in game one, 4-3, in 11 innings to force the “if” game. The Captains trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth and tied the score
David Fennessey singled with one out and was lifted for pinch runner Jimmy Six. Matt McDaniel singled to right, advancing Six to third. Six scored two batters later on Mike Giarrizzi's sacrifice fly, tying the game.
In the 11th, Thomas Drewry led off with a single and advanced to third when Six reached on a throwing error. Joey Martin was intentionally walked and Michael Romett was hit by a pitch, forcing in Drewry with the winning run.
Chris Despins and Trae Bailey both finished 2-for-5. Fennessey went 2-for-4 with two RBI and McDaniel was 3-for-4.
Brandon Berry tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out four. Chris Malvagna went 1 2/3 innings and gave up two hits. Josh Brinkman relieved and threw four scoreless innings to pick up the win, his second of the year. He allowed two hits, walked one and struck out four.
Christopher Newport captured the title with a 12-3 win.
The Captains rode the arm of Kenny Moreland, who, pitching on two days rest, allowed two runs on five hits and struck out seven. He's now 11-0 on the year. His 11 wins tie Rob Dye's school record for most wins in a season set in 2002.
CNU also kept swinging a hot bat, as they slugged 16 hits.
Despins paced CNU's offense going 4-for-5 with a 2-run home run, three runs and four RBI. Bailey finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two driven in. Giarrizzi was 3-for-6 with three runs scored. Fennessey went 2-for-5 and drove in two and Shayne Kersey was 2-for-5.
Moreland was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Also earning All-Tournament honors were Despins, Bailey, Fennessey, and Ryan McDougal.
The Bishops fall to 27-13-1. Christopher Newport improves to 27-9. It's the third time the Captains have won the USA South Tournament title. CNU still has three regular season games remaining. They return to action Thursday when they head to Mary Washington with first pitch set for 3 pm.
Game One Box
Game Two Box
