NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Jordan Mason established a new program record for career hits, while Nick DiNapoli pounded a fifth-inning grand slam, but the third-ranked Christopher Newport baseball team could not overcome an early deficit as the squad dropped a 19-8 decision to Penn State Harrisburg in the opening game of the Capital Athletic Conference Championship Series on a sunny Thursday afternoon at Captains Park.
                  
Against the Lions, Mason roped a pair of hits, including the 226th of his career. That moved him past CNU Hall of Famer Matt Turner for the top spot on the program's all-time charts. Meanwhile, DiNapoli knocked in five of the team's eight runs during the game, and Joseph Cutchins was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.
 
With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 33-7 on the season. The victory bumps Penn State Harrisburg to 32-11-1. Both teams will return to action tomorrow for the final day of the double-elimination CAC Championship Series. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m.
 
In a battle featuring the nation's top-two scoring offenses, the Lions struck first with a five-spot in the top of the second inning. Firing right back, the Captains responded in the bottom half of the frame.
 
After Penn State Harrisburg's big inning, Ryan Grubbs landed a quick counterpunch. On the second pitch of his at bat, the senior ripped a rocket that screamed past the batter's eye in straightaway centerfield for a leadoff home run. Later, after Cutchins was hit by a pitch, he moved to second on a ground out by Conner Clark and scampered home after DiNapoli stung an RBI single to rightfield.
 
Continuing to trade blows, the visitors retaliated in the top of the third. For the second straight inning, the Lions batted around as the squad plated six more runs to snatch an 11-2 lead. Despite the outburst, Trey Hicks helped limit the damage with a diving, fully-extended grab in right to rob a base hit.
 
With the offenses still rolling, Cutchins added an RBI double that nearly caught the chalk down the leftfield line in the bottom of the third before Penn State Harrisburg tacked on three more in the fourth to gain a 14-3 lead.
 
Despite the 11-run deficit, the Captains kept rallying. In the bottom of the fourth, Mason came through with his record-setting hit. Showcasing his skills at the plate, he stepped to the dish with a runner on first. After Nicholas Baham took off for second on a two-strike pitch, the Penn State Harrisburg shortstop ranged to his left to cover the bag. With a hole forming between second and third, the senior found the opening and shot the 1-2 offering the other way for his 226th hit.
 
Although the Lions managed to work out of the jam in the fourth, Christopher Newport came back in the fifth. Grubbs worked a leadoff walk before Cutchins and Clark loaded the bases with back-to-back singles. Keeping the pressure on, Seth Woodard drew a five-pitch walk, which drove in the first run. Up next, DiNapoli turned on the first pitch and sent a mammoth shot to left, which eventually crashed down on the street behind the fence and skipped over to the softball stadium.
 
Back within striking distance at 14-8, Carter Strain quickly retired the Lions in order in the top of the sixth, but CNU struggled to pull closer. Over the final four innings, Cutchins posted two hits, including a double in the sixth, but Penn State Harrisburg's Tyler Jackson quieted the rest of the lineup on the way to his third victory of the season.
 
Jackson eventually allowed just three hits over the final 4.2 innings. Strain carried Christopher Newport's bullpen with three innings of relief. The sophomore struck out three and did not allow an earned run.
 
Along with Mason and DiNapoli, Ryan Grubbs also reached base safely three times while drawing two walks. He scored three times as well.
 
---CNU---