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HAMPTON, Va. -- For just the fourth time in school history, the Christopher Newport baseball team has won 30 games, picking up #30 today with a 9-1 victory over Newport News Apprentice (23-15). The Captains improved to 30-6 behind a strong pitching performance by Greg Goldsmith and a balanced attack offensively.

CNU has won 30 games in a season just three times prior, in 2002 (38-16), 2003 (35-9) and 2011 (39-7). In '02 and '03, the Captains reached the NCAA National Championship round, and last season, CNU was the top seed in the NCAA Regional. This season, the Captains have clinched a berth into the 2012 NCAA Tournament, and will find out on May 13 where, when and against whom they will play.

On Thursday, Goldsmith tossed seven solid innings, giving up just one run and walking a pair while striking out eight. The junior improved to 6-1 overall this year, as his offense scored nine runs in support.

CNU opened up with four runs in the top of the second, led by a one-out double from Matt Shoemaker. Senior Steven Lindemuth singled home Shoemaker and after a single by Steven Keener, the Captains designated hitter Christopher McDougal drove in both with a single through the left side. Sophomore Billy Steel finished out the four-run inning with a single to right, plating Ben Lenda.

The Captains tacked on three more in the fifth, when Lindemuth added his second RBI on the day with a single to left. A wild pitch plated one more and USA South Tournament MVP Ben Lenda singled home Lindemuth to give CNU a 7-1 lead.

Senior Tyler Cobb had a pinch-hit RBI single and Shannon Mark added a bases-loaded walk for the final score, 9-1.

Goldsmith gave way to junior reliever Matt Verdillo for the last six outs. Verdillo put together a stellar outing, striking out four in facing the minimum six batters over the final two innings.

Lindemuth led the way for the Captains, going 3-4 with two runs and two RBI. McDougal (2-3, 2 RBI), Lenda (2-3, 1 RBI, 1 run), Shoemaker (2-4, 2 runs) and Steel (2-6, 1 RBI) all had multi-hit games for the Captains.

The Builders were led by a 2-3 performance by Chris Scarola, while Travis Franklin added the lone RBI on the day for Apprentice.

CNU has two more games remaining on the 2012 regular season schedule. The Captains will travel to play the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins on Friday, April 20, and then will host nationally ranked Salisbury University on Thursday, May 3.