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FROSTBURG, Md. -- Twelve runs in the final two innings punctuated a dominant offensive performance for sixth-seeded Christopher Newport baseball, leading the Captains to an 18-5 win over fifth-seeded Wesley (10-18) in a CAC Tournament elimination game Thursday morning. Junior Blake Ream continued his late season surge with another strong outing, backing the offense with an eight-inning, ten-strikeout performance to capture the win. 

The Captains (16-13) got a third consecutive impact performance from Ream, who picked up his third straight win to improve to 4-2 on the season. After helping power Christopher Newport into the playoffs with wins at St. Mary's (Md.) and against York (Pa.) in the regular season finale, Ream set career highs on Thursday with eight innings pitched and ten strikeouts. 

He allowed just two runs over the first seven innings, as the Captains offense built him a 6-2 lead heading into the final two innings. The first run came on a bases-loaded walk by Bryant Lowry in the top of the third, and three more in the top of the fourth. Tyler Wood singled to lead off the inning, followed by a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Loudan. Keith Roberts doubled home a run and then came home to score on a 2-run single by rookie Craig Johnson. 

Wesley cut the lead in half with two in the bottom of the fourth, but Ream wriggled out of an inning that could have been worse. A walk, hit-by-pitch and another walk started the inning, but ream induced a key double play and then struck out Joe Hummel to end the threat with just two runs allowed. 

Leading off the fifth inning, Lowry smashed his fifth home run of the season and fourth in his last five games. The junior designated hitter has caught fire down the stretch, hitting safely in seven straight games with a .455 (10-22) average. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Ream allowed a lead-off single before retiring the next two batters. He got out of the inning by picking off shortstop Eric Speidel at first base. The pick-off was Ream's fifth of the season, tied for the most by a pitcher in a single season in program history, and trails Scotty George's record season by just one. 

Sophomore A.J. Nicely singled and scored in the sixth after stealing second and trotting home on a single by Johnson. After scoring in four straight innings, the Captains were kept off the board in the seventh, but set off the fireworks in the final two innings.

First, in the eighth, Tyler Wood's three-run double highlighted a four-run frame; the other RBI was Johnson's, who singled home Ginch earlier in the inning. Then, an eight-run ninth inning put the game out of reach, as CNU closed out Wesley's season with a big number in the final frame. After Roberts and Nicely led off with back-to-back singles, Wesley reliever Brad Walker appeared poised to get out of the inning with a groundout and strikeout. The Captains caught fire with two outs, though, kicked off by a two-run single by junior Kyle Corwin. 

After a pair of walks, including an RBI free pass for Loudan, Roberts stepped in and delivered a two-run double down the right field line. He was followed by Nicely, who singled up the middle for two more, wrapping up an 8-run inning that included five hits and one error. 

With a comfortable lead, the Captains turned to Brett Mays to close out the final inning and the senior finished out the win with one unearned run allowed on two hits. Ream's 10-K effort was a season-high for CNU pitching, as he worked around seven walks and one HBP by allowing only five hits. 

Offensively, eight of CNU's starting nine registered at least one hit, and the ninth, Connor Henderson, walked four times. Johnson had a marquee performance, going 4-for-5 with a walk, four RBI and two runs scored. Nicely and Roberts each posted three-hit days, with 4 runs, 2 RBI and 3 runs, 3 RBI, respectively. 

After the win, CNU advanced to the next round of the CAC Tournament, originally scheduled for Friday. However, due to a rain delay and eventual postponement, the Captains learned they would not take the field again until Saturday at 9:00 am, against the winner of #2 Salisbury vs. #3 Mary Washington. That game will begin at approximately 12:30 on Friday, following Game 3. 

For a complete schedule, results and more, check out the Tournament Central page hosted by Frostburg State Athletics by clicking here.