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GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Junior starter Sean Chitsaz gave up an unearned run in the first and then locked in for seven strong innings to lead Christopher Newport (7-1) past Greensboro College (4-8) in the USA South opener today, 3-1. Chitsaz struck out eight and allowed just six hits in limiting the Pride chances, while Steven Lindemuth sparked the offense late with a solo home run.

Chitsaz gave up the lone Greensboro run of the game in the bottom of the first, giving up a double to Austin Catherina, who scored on a pair of errors.

The Captains offense, averaging over 10 runs per game, came out a little flat in the conference opener, mustering just three hits in the first six innings. Greensboro starter Jacob Cadle walked five, but struck out six to keep CNU off the board through the first six frames.

In the seventh, though, Cadle was still on the hill when the Captains bats started to pick it up. Leadoff hitter Shannon Mark got on by way of the walk with two outs, followed by an RBI double by Drue Vernon to tie the game at one.

With one out in the top of the eighth, Lindemuth lifted CNU into the lead with a solo shot to make it 2-1, and the Captains would add an insurance run in the ninth as catcher Ben Lenda tripled in Mark for his second run of the day.

Matt Verdillo and Ryan Fleischmann came on in relief, combining for two scoreless innings of work. Fleischmann earned the save, slamming the door with 1.2 perfect innings with two strikeouts.

Chitsaz finished with a line of 7.0 innings, 6 hits, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts and one unearned run, earning his third win of the young season. Vernon and Lenda led the offense with a pair of hits and an RBI, while Lindemuth's homer rounded out the run-producing for CNU.

The Captains will face the Pride again on Sunday to cap off the season series against Greensboro.