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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Facing the host Monarchs of Methodist University (2-1) in the finale of the Methodist Diamond Invitational, the Christopher Newport baseball team took a lead in the fourth inning, but gave up 13 runs in the middle innings to fall on the road, 15-5. The Captains fall to 2-1 on the season, led by Brandon Ginch's three-RBI performance and the first home run of the season off the bat of senior Austin Kilbourne. 

Sophomore Cameron Parker (0-1) started for the Captains on Sunday, allowing two runs in the first four batters in his first start of the year. The second-year right-hander looked ready to settle in over the next three innings by allowing just three hits and no runs in the span. His offense staked him to a 4-2 lead with a big inning in the top of the fourth. 

Leading off the fourth, Taylor Loudon earned a walk and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Keith Roberts. Travis Myers legged out an infield single and Kilbourne was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Connor Henderson reached on an error by the first baseman, driving in Loudon, followed by a pop-out to give the Monarchs two outs. Ginch stepped in during the big situation and delivered a bases-clearing double to left field, giving the Captains a two-run advantage. 

The lead wouldn't hold, though, as the home team answered with three runs in the bottom half of the fourth. In a four-run fifth, it was junior Stephen Nalls who came up with the big knock, answering Ginch's three-run double with one of his own as the Monarchs took a 9-4 lead. 

Kilbourne's big blast came in the next half-inning, as the CNU senior crushed a solo shot over the right field wall, right over the 365-foot sign. 

The back-breaking inning came in the bottom of the sixth, as the Monarchs batted around and tacked on six more runs to take a 15-5 lead. Ray Lanners had a two-run double and Nalls picked up two more RBI on a single through the left side. Senior catcher Chris Power continued a sensational performance at the plate with a walk and a hit in the inning. He finished the day 5-for-5 atop the Monarchs lineup, driving in one and scoring twice. Nalls was 3-for-5 with five runs driven in and one run scored. 

The Captains were out-hit, 18-6, as six different players delivered one hit for CNU. Henderson continued his hot start through the first three games, hitting .500 with four runs scored. 

On the hill, eight different pitchers combined to finish out the game, including scoreless appearances from Brett Mays, Ryan Powell and Justin Garber. 

CNU will return to action with the home opener on Wednesday, February 11 as the Captains host Eastern Mennonite University at 2:00 pm.  Live stats will be available at CNUsports.com/live.