NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Christopher Newport's baseball squad dropped a 10-6 decision Friday to conference rival Methodist.

The Monarchs got on the board in the top of the second but the Captains responded with two solo home runs in the bottom of the frame. Methodist came right back and tied the score in the top of the third.

MU used a five-run fourth to pull away. The Monarchs scored two more in the top of the fifth to lead 9-2. Parker Neal homered to lead off the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to 9-3, but Methodist countered with a single run in the top of the sixth.

In the seventh, Trae Bailey singled and Chris Despins followed with a two-run home run. Steven Lindemuth doubled home Eric Cole, who doubled two batters earlier, for the final margin.

Neal finished 2-for-5, Bailey went 2-for-3, Cole was 2-for-5, and Lindemuth went 2-for-5 with two RBI.

Josh Brinkman tossed five innings, allowed nine runs on eight hits, walked four and struck out five to fall to 4-1. Chris Malvagna and Kyle Baumann tossed the final four innings.

Methodist improves to 24-9 overall and 6-3 in USA South play. The Captains drop to 18-7-1 on the year and 4-5 in conference action.

These two teams conclude their series Saturday with first pitch set for 1 pm.