BURLINGTON, NC – Christopher Newport's baseball team eliminated Averett, 11-4, Friday evening in a USA South contest.

The Cougars struck for their first run in the bottom of the first when they pieced together three hits to score its one run.

Ben Lenda tied the game with a RBI single in the top of the second. Shannon Mark doubled, advancing Lenda to third and both scored on Mike Giarrizzi's two-run single to put CNU ahead, 3-1. Parker Neal followed with a two-run home run to put the Captains ahead, 5-1.

Steven Lindemuth led off the fourth with a solo home run. Mark singled and stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. He would later score on a wild pitch.

Eric Cole singled in the fifth, scoring Bailey, putting Christopher Newport on top, 8-1.

Neal doubled home two more in the top of the eighth, to put CNU ahead by nine.

AU cut the lead to six, with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Lindemuth doubled home another run in the top of the ninth for the final margin.

Neal finished 2-for-5 with three RBI. Lindemuth was 3-for-5 with two RBI, Cole was 2-for-5 and Mark went 2-for-4 with three runs.

Tyler McElhenny started and went 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run on seven hits, he's now 3-1 on the year.

The Cougars fall to 14-24-1 while the Captains improve to 21-8-1. CNU returns to action Saturday when they take on NC Wesleyan at 3:30 pm in another elimination game.