SALISBURY, MD – Christopher Newport's baseball squad fell behind early and couldn't make up the deficit as Shenandoah handed the Captains its first loss, 8-4, at the NCAA Regionals Friday evening.

The Hornets scored twice in the first and added four more in the second to take a 6-0 lead. Michael Romett got CNU on the board in the bottom of the second by belting his sixth home run of the year.

Christopher Newport cut the lead to 6-4 in the fourth. They had a chance to trim the lead or even tie the game but they left the bases loaded.

Shenandoah added two insurance runs in the ninth for the final margin.

Parker Neal finished 2-for-4 and Ben Lenda went 2-for-4 as well and also drove in a run.

Brandon Berry started and lasted just 1 2/3 innings. He gave up six runs on seven hits and walked one and falls to 5-2. Kyle Baumann was outstanding in relief, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walked one and struck out five. Chris Malvagna got the final two outs while striking out one.

The Hornets improve to 36-8 and advance to the championship game as the regional's only undefeated team. The Captains, 26-12-2, will play in an elimination game Saturday at 1 pm against Johns Hopkins.