MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The Christopher Newport baseball team won it's fourth straight and seventh in the last eight games with a 5-2 win over Cabrini University (6-3) on Wednesday afternoon at The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Captains improved to 7-4 behind a strong pitching performance led by starter
Jack Braley (1-0).
Braley retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced and saw only two batters over the minimum through the first five frames of work. The sophomore right-handed starter recorded seven of his eight strikeouts in that run before running into trouble in the bottom of the sixth. Braley allowed three singles in the inning before striking out his eighth for the second out and giving way to
Kyle Lewis to close out the inning.
In relief, Lewis struck out three straight to start and sat down eight in a row before an error in the bottom of the ninth. The Captains' bullpen arm then gave up back-to-back singles before being lifted for sophomore
Jay Cassady to finish out the win. With the tying run at the plate, Cassady punched out both batters he faced to slam the door on the Cavaliers and earn his first save of the season.
As a staff, the three Captains struck out 14 with just two runs allowed, one earned. The staff allowed seven hits and walked just one batter.
Braley earned the win after going 5.2 strong innings; the offense put him in position to win with a single run in the top of the second and two more in the top of the fourth. In the second,
Daniel Elliott continued his strong week with a lead-off double followed by a single from
Kevin Mackmin. Elliott raced home on a groundball to short that was mishandled and scored the game's first run.
In the top of the fourth,
Michael Martorano delivered a one-out single and promptly stole second to get into scoring position. After
Drew Caroline singled and
Jonathan Fisher walked, fifth-year senior outfielder
Conner Clark stepped in and drove in Martorano.
Scott Crosson was next, lifting a deep fly ball to center field for a sacrifice fly as Caroline raced in to put the Captains ahead, 3-0.
After Cabrini cut the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the CNU offense picked back up in the next half inning highlighted by
Justin Bowers. With one out in the inning, the Captains' leading slugger this season belted his third home run of the year for a solo shot. Moments later, Elliott singled and sprinted all the way around the bases on a double by Mackmin to cap the scoring for CNU.
Bowers finished the day 2-for-3 with a walk before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth inning. He leads the squad with eight of his ten hits this season going for extra bases. Mackmin and Elliott each added two-hit performances to help pace the Captains' offense.
Christopher Newport will return to action on Thursday as they take on Neumann University in the Myrtle Beach finale.
