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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Behind a strong pitching performance and timely hitting late in the game, the Christopher Newport baseball team picked up its third straight win in conference play with a 4-1 win over Southern Virginia (3-9, 2-5) on Wednesday. The Captains (10-7, 4-5) got 6.2 innings in a nice start from junior Adam Emerson, and scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to get past the Knights in Capital Athletic Conference action. 

Emerson scattered five hits, and cruised at times while striking out eight batters. He had at least one strikeout in each of the seven frames he pitched in, and allowed just one run in the third inning. 

Ryan Saunders led off the third with a double to left field and moved up to third on a sacrifice bunt by Luke Smith. C.J. Andrus delivered the lone run of the afternoon for Southern Virginia with an RBI groundout to second base to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. 

Locked in a pitchers' duel, Emerson and SVU starter Justin King cruised through the first five innings with just six hits combined. King had the Captains off balance with his offspeed stuff, striking out four and getting ten groundouts in just under six innings of work. He was chased in the sixth, however, when the Captains drew even on a big blast by Brandon Ginch. 

The sophomore left fielder crushed a 1-2 pitch over the left center field wall, marking his third round-tripper in as many games. He leads the team with four this season, and the solo shot tied the game at 1-1. 

CNU sophomore Caleb Myers came on in relief of Emerson with two outs in the seventh and got out of the inning with a groundout to the third baseman. He then gave up a lead-off single in the 8th before striking out Smith and getting Andrus to fly out to right field before giving way to senior closer Justin Garber with two down in the eighth inning. Garber loaded the bases, but escaped the jam with a crucial 3-2 pitch on Giovanni Prado, striking out the senior second baseman. 

The Captains then took control in the bottom half of the inning. Facing reliever Bradley Jackson, Captains first baseman Connor Henderson singled through the left side. Then, the Knights called on Colin Bigelow, who induced a groundball to the shortstop, but an error saw CNU put two runners on with only one out. A runners' interference call on a sure single by Kyle Corwin negated the play and saw SVU pick up the second out. Nearly out of the pickle, a pair of CNU freshmen stepped up to put CNU ahead. 

First, right fielder Craig Johnson singled into left field, delivering the eventual game-winning run. Following that shot,  catcher Tyler Wood lined into left field and the ball got past the defender for a double, scoring both runners. 

The three-run cushion was plenty for Garber to close out the win, retiring the side in the ninth with ease, including a strikeout of the final batter. 

Johnson led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance, including the game-winning RBI and adding a run scored. Robert and Henderson each posted multi-hit performances in the win, while Ginch, Corwin and Bryant Lowry added singles. 

On the hill, Garber earned the win for his first of the season. He tossed 1.1 innings with two strikeouts and only two runners allowed. Jackson was saddled with the loss, falling to 2-2 on the season. 

Christopher Newport is scheduled to play Virginia Wesleyan College on Thursday, March 26 at Captains Park, with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 pm. With rain in the forecast, fans are encouraged to check back to CNUsports.com, or follow @CNUAthletics on Twitter.