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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The fourth-ranked Christopher Newport University baseball team improved to 4-0 today, blasting cross-water rival Virginia Wesleyan (1-2), 18-5. The Captains were led by All-Americans Connor Madden andMatt Shoemaker with three hits apiece.
 
CNU trailed 3-2 after the second inning, but batted around the lineup in the third, scoring seven runs. With two on and two out, the Captains mounted a big rally. Senior catcher Ben Lenda doubled to left center to plate Luke Saunders, followed by RBI singles from Chris McDougal and Madden. Shoemaker doubled home another run and Saunders finished out the big inning with an RBI on a hit-by-pitch.
 
Virginia Wesleyan tacked on two in the fifth, but were held scoreless the rest of the way. CNU added four runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth. Sophomore Billy Steel blasted a two-run double to left center in the fifth to round out the scoring for the Captains.
 
Nine different Captains scored in the game, led by Shoemaker and Steel with three runs each. Luke Saunders drove in a game-high four runs, going 1-2 with two HBP. Designated hitter Chris McDougal made the most of his first start of the season, going 3-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
 
Rookie Jordan Boze picked up his first career win in relief, pitching two innings with one strikeout. Freshman James Walsh dominated in two innings of work, striking out five. Kyle Goddard and Mike Simko also made their first appearance of the year for CNU, wrapping up the game with three innings of shutout work. Simko tossed a perfect ninth, with two strikeouts.

CNU returns to action this weekend as they head out on the road for the first time in 2012. The Captains will take on Blackburn College in a neutral site game at Piedmont College on Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 pm.