UPDATE: Due to poor weather conditions expected Saturday, the first game against DeSales has been moved to a 10:00 am start.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Off to a 3-0 start this season, the Christopher Newport baseball team is headed out of town for three games this weekend as they ready to play in the Armstrong/Diamond Invitational hosted by Methodist University. The Captains are slated to face DeSales University (0-0) and Keystone College (0-0) on Saturday, February 17, before facing host Methodist University (2-1) in the tournament's final game Sunday.
After a 7-4 win over N.C. Wesleyan in Wednesday's home opener, the Captains improved to 3-0 to start the 2018 season. The 10:00 am first pitch against DeSales on Saturday will be the first game of the year for the Bulldogs. It will also be the first time the Captains have ever played DeSales.
After taking the afternoon off, CNU will return to the diamond on Saturday at approximately 5:00 pm to take on Keystone College. It will also be the first matchup in the all-time series against the Giants, who posted a 33-15 overall record last season.
Finally, the Captains will take on former conference rival Methodist in the 2:00 pm game on Sunday. The Monarchs own a 59-32 advantage in the all-time series.
CNU will look to continue it's winning streak to open the year after scoring 27 runs in the first three games. Senior designated hitter
Brandon Ginch leads a balanced offense with 5 RBI, while three other players have driven in four. Junior outfielder
Jordan Mason is hitting a team-best .308 (4-13) while junior
Seth Woodard is off to a strong start in his Christopher Newport debut, reaching base at a .533 clip.
On the mound,
Ryan Powell (2-0) has picked up two wins in relief while posting a 2.25 ERA. He has not allowed a hit in his first four innings while striking out four.
Thomas Packert has made two starts with six strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work without an earned run allowed and
Logan Harrelson has appeared twice with just one run in 5.0 innings pitched. Out of the pen, sophomore
Brian Owens and senior
Joe Burris have struck out 11 batters in a combined 4.2 innings of relief without allowing a run.
DeSales was 26-16 last season and were led by Preston Amato in his second season. The junior hit .401 with 63 hits, 46 runs scored and 30 RBI last season. Sergio Diaz and Tommy Epsaro return after leading the team in power numbers last season, while both also hit well over .300 for the year. Epsaro powered out 7 HR and 21 total extra-base hits while Diaz knocked out 3 HR in his first collegiate season.
Keystone reached the NCAA Regionals last season and wrapped up the year 33-15 overall. Senior Troy Terzi was 9-0 with a 2.45 ERA last season while striking out 94 batters in 99.1 innings pitched. He tossed three complete games and also added one save in three relief appearances. Senior outfielder Anthony Ferrezza and junior Chris Panzarella led the offense with a .372 and .371 batting average, respectively. Ferrezza scored 50 runs while Panzarella drove in a team-best 42.
Methodist welcomes back Matthias Carter, who hit .343 with a team-best 39 runs scored last year. He also stole a team-best 12 bases while slugging .503 in his second season. Under the direction of Tom Austin for his 39th season in the Methodist dugout, the Monarchs were picked 8th in the USA South Preseason Coaches Poll.
Live stats will be available for all three games. Live video will also be available for the game versus Methodist on Sunday. Links can be found on the baseball schedule at CNUsports.com.
