ELON, NC – Christopher Newport's baseball team eliminated Methodist from the USA South Tournament Friday, winning a slugfest, 16-13, at Elon's Latham Park.

Offense was the story of the game as the two teams combined for 29 runs and 31 hits.

CNU scored three times in the first while the Monarchs scored once in the bottom of the first and tied it at 3-3 with two in the second.

The Captains scored once in the top of the fourth but MU took the lead with two in the bottom of the inning, 5-4.

Both squads scored four times in the fourth and Christopher Newport regained the lead with three runs in the fifth, 11-9. Methodist took a 12-9 lead with three in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by a two-run home run.

Each team scored once in the seventh and the Captains pushed across two in each of the eighth and ninth innings. Trailing 13-12 heading into the eighth, Michael Romett doubled and advanced to third on Eric Cole's single and scored on an error by the Monarchs right-fielder. Ben Lenda's single scored Cole with the go-ahead run.

In the ninth, Chris Despins put the game out of reach with a two-run blast.

Mike Giarrizzi finished 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored. Despins was 2-for-6 with six RBI, and a triple. Shannon Mark was 3-for-5, Ben Lenda was 2-for-5, Steven Lindemuth was 1-for-4 with a home run, Romett was 2-for-5 and Cole went 2-for-6.

Kyle Baumann started and lasted 3 2/3 innings, gave up nine runs, six earned, on eight hits, walked three and struck out two. Ian Lenda relieved and went 2 1/3, giving up four runs on five hits. Kevin Moreland was spectacular in relief, picking up his third win. He tossed three perfect innings and struck out eight.

Methodist falls to 24-12 while the Captains improve to 20-8-1. CNU will meet Averett in an elimination game at 3 pm.

Box Score