NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Christopher Newport's baseball team closed out USA South play Saturday with a 12-2 win over Methodist.

The Captains scored twice in the first inning on back-to-back home runs by Trae Bailey and Chris Despins.

The Monarchs cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the fourth. CNU scored three times in the bottom of the fifth, highlighted by Parker Neal's two RBI single.

Methodist scored another single run in the top of the seventh and Christopher Newport put the game out of reach with a seven-run seventh.

Despins finished 4-for-4 with two singles, a triple and a home run, Neal was 2-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored and Shannon Mark went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.  Ben Lenda finished 1-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Ian Lenda tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits, walked one and struck out two. Mike Giarrizzi threw 1 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out three and Kevin Moreland tossed a perfect ninth to close it out.

MU falls to 24-10 on the year and 6-4 in conference play. The Captains improve to 19-7-1 overall and 5-5 in USA South action. CNU will be the No. 3 seed in next week's USA South Tournament and will play Ferrum at 1 pm next Thursday at Burlington (NC) Athletic Stadium.

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