NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Nicholas Baham and Brandon Ginch both blasted three-run home runs to power the Christopher Newport baseball team to a 7-4 victory over N.C. Wesleyan during the squad's home opener on a sunny Wednesday afternoon at Captains Park.
 
Baham pumped a three-run shot in the third to give the Captains the lead before Ginch added some insurance with a tank of his own in the sixth. Austin Henry also clocked a solo shot to round out the power surge, while Seth Woodard reached base safely four times, including three walks.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 3-0 on the season. The setback drops N.C. Wesleyan to 2-2.
 
In the early going, the Captains quieted the Battling Bishops. Showing their depth on the mound, Thomas Packert struck out a pair in the first, Logan Harrelson sent two down in the second, and Ryan Powell worked a perfect third before Baham took over at the plate. Looking to break the scoreless deadlock, Craig Johnson worked a one-out walk before Woodard lined a single through the right side. With two on, Baham dropped the hammer and crushed a shot to left that came crashing down on the road behind the stadium to give the hosts a 3-0 edge.
 
After a spotless frame by Brian Owens, the two squads traded runs as Henry peppered a home run to left before the Bishops struck with a shot of their own in the top of the fifth.
 
Still facing a 4-1 deficit, N.C. Wesleyan inched within one after pumping two homers in the sixth before Ginch came back with a resounding answer.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, the Captains struck with two outs. Woodard led off the surge with a walk before Baham was plunked. Hoping to break the game open, Ginch turned on a pitch and dropped it over the leftfield fence to snatch a 7-3 edge.
 
On the other side, Christopher Newport pieced together a pair of defensive highlights in the top of the seventh. Taking over on the mound, Logan Aylor was tested early. The Bishops blasted a screamer straight back at him. Showing incredible instincts, Aylor flipped his glove out only to have it ripped off his hand by the line-drive shot. Unfazed, he simply reached down, barehanded the ball, and fired a strike to first.
 
One play later, Henry added his own highlight. The shortstop ranged far to his left to snag a rocket up the middle. Making a quick turn, he planted and unloaded a dart to first for the second out.
 
Although N.C. Wesleyan was eventually able to scratch out one last run in the seventh, Joe Burris came out of the pen and slammed the door. The senior retired the last five batters in order, including four strikeouts, to record his first save of the year.
 
Powell (2-0) earned the win after his spotless frame out of the bullpen, while Brynner Porter (0-1) took the loss after scattering three runs on three hits in 2.2 innings for N.C. Wesleyan. The CNU staff eventually finished with 15 strikeouts with all eight pitchers registering at least one.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on February 17 when the squad kicks off the Methodist Diamond Invitational against DeSales in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
 
---CNU---