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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Rookie shortstop Billy Steel hit his second career home run and drove in three runs in a perfect 3-for-3 performance to lead 14th ranked Christopher Newport (17-1) past Virginia Wesleyan College (6-9) on the road, 10-1. The Captains return to action tomorrow for USA South action at home, against Ferrum College at 1:00 pm.

CNU never trailed against the Marlins, taking a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Steven Lindemuth led off the inning with a double and Matt Shoemaker followed with a single. Lindemuth came around to score on an error by the pitcher, and Steel singled home Shoemaker with no out an runners at the corners.

The Marlins answered with one in the bottom of the third, but Shannon Mark drove in Steel in the fourth on a fielder's choice. The Captains added one more in the sixth and then two runs each in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. Steel belted a two-run homer in the seventh to give CNU a 6-1 lead and added his fourth RBI in the eighth on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.

On the hill for the Captains, rookie Bryan Bierlein pitched seven innings of one-run ball, striking out three. He scattered five hits, improving to 2-0 on the season. He led CNU to its 16th straight win, extending the program's best ever winning streak. Richard Lindsay closed out the game, pitching two innings, giving up just one hit and striking out three.

Steel also scored twice in addition to his 3-for-3 with 4 RBI. Lindemuth and Mark both added three hits in the win, and Shoemaker added a pair. Lindemuth drove in three and scored twice.

CNU takes on Ferrum College in USA South action this weekend, with games at 1:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.