NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The top-ranked Christopher Newport baseball team leaned on sophomore right-hander Josh Husby (5-1) and another solid day offensively as the Captains won their ninth straight game with a 10-1 home victory against Mary Washington (6-10, 1-5). CNU improves to 18-2 overall, 7-0 in league play with the win. 

The potent CNU offense scored in double figures for the fourth straight game and seventh time in the last eight contests, but it was the pitching performance from Husby that stole the show on Friday afternoon. Playing in front of a season-high crowd of over 400 fans at Captains Park, Husby was locked in and allowed just one unearned run on three hits in seven innings of work.

Along the way, Husby struck out a career-high 13 batters, tying the second most in a game for a CNU pitcher over the last 12 seasons. The 13 whiffs is also tied for the fifth most single game total in program history and marks just the second time ever a Captain struck out as many batters in seven innings or less. Husby had at least two strikeouts in six of his seven complete innings, including the last two batters he faced. 

With their sophomore starter dealing, the Captains offense gave him plenty of support en route to his fifth win of the season. Senior Nicholas Baham delivered all the support he would need in the bottom of the first inning with a mammoth two-run shot over the center field wall. The homer was his seventh of the season and moved him into a tie for third all-time at CNU with 24 career blasts. He matches Brandon Ginch and Trae Bailey with 24, trailing only Matt Turner (51) and Chris Phaup (27) on the all-time list. 

Also adding to the lead with the long ball was senior Ryan Grubbs, who also smashed a towering shot over the center field wall. Grubbs' second home run of the season was a solo shot in the bottom of the second inning, kickstarting another stellar overall day at the dish for the senior backstop. While catching one of the most dominant pitching performances in program history, Grubbs reached base in all five of his plate appearances going 2-for-2 with three walks and four runs scored. 

The pitching dominance continued through the bullpen as relievers Brian Owens and Andrew Suppa added three more strikeouts to run the team's total to 16 for the game. It was just the ninth time in program history the Captains have struck out as many as 16 in a game, and tied for the fourth most in program lore. Owens struck out a pair in a perfect 1-2-3 eighth inning and Suppa added one in a clean ninth to close out the win. 

Patience at the plate was also key in the game for CNU, who worked 11 walks. The Captains ranked third in the nation coming into the game with 133 walks, averaging seven per game. Using that patience, CNU scored four runs on just one hit in the seventh inning when Jordan Mason was hit by a pitch and scampered to second on a wild pitch. Trey Hicks and Grubbs walked to load the bases for designated hitter Evan Baer. Baer singled in a run before another came in on a passed ball and Seth Woodard picked up an RBI with a bases loaded free pass. 

CNU will return to action on Saturday, March 30 as they host a doubleheader against Mary Washington to close out the three-game conference series. First pitch is scheduled for Noon from Captains Park.