MARIETTA, Ohio -- Earning the team's first NCAA Regional win since 2018, the Christopher Newport Captains walked it off in dramatic fashion on Friday afternoon, beating Mount Aloysius (27-14) in extra innings, 4-3, at the Marietta, Ohio Regional. Brayden Hodges scored the winning run in the bottom of the tenth to propel CNU into the second round against host and second-ranked Marietta College on Saturday.

CNU's last postseason win also came in come-from-behind fashion by the same score against LaGrange College in the Holly Springs, N.C. Regional in 2018. The Captains are now 20-15 all-time in NCAA Regional play while improving to 5-2 in postseason extra-inning games. 

In Friday's opener, the Captains and Mounties were locked in a pitcher's duel between a pair of first-team All-Conference arms on the mound. The AMCC Rookie, Player, and Pitcher of the Year, Tyler Quade, got the start for Mount Aloysius and held the lead through the first five innings before leaving the game with a no decision after seven strong innings. And for Christopher Newport, after allowing three runs on three hits in the opening frame, junior starter Dylan Weber pieced together a gutsy effort on the mound as the Captains clawed back even, 3-3, after six innings. Weber finished seven frames, scattering five more hits without a run allowed, while striking out four to also get a no decision. 

With the tie game handed over to the bullpens, each team only employed one reliever the rest of the way. For Mount Aloysius, Chris Hasse struck out five over 2.2 innings of work before the game-winning play for Christopher Newport. The Captains turned to closer Daniel Elliott, who improved to 4-0 with three no-hit shutout innings, facing just two more than the minimum on the mound. 

In the bottom of the tenth, Hasse struck out the first two CNU batters before Hodges stepped in and delivered a double into left field on the first pitch he saw. That would draw the red-hot bat of Drew Caroline to the plate with the game-winning run in scoring position. After earning C2C All-Tournament honors last week, Caroline kept his hot streak going with a chopper up the middle to second. The infield single would have put runners at the corners, but the Mounties defender attempted to retire Caroline and his throw sailed high, allowing Hodges to sprint home from third with the winning tally. 

It was the first extra-inning NCAA Tournament game for the Captains since winning, 5-4, in ten innings against Salisbury University during the 2009 NCAA Regional. CNU has won five straight extra-inning games in the postseason. 

Prior to the heroics by Elliott, Hodges, and Caroline, Christopher Newport showed it's grit and determination to rally from down three after the top half of the first inning. Mount Aloysius jumped on the board early with three straight hits and a hit-by-pitch in the top of the first. After a sacrifice fly, the Mounties tacked on one more with a double steal to take a 3-0 lead. 

Quade kept CNU from threatening through the first turn around the order, but in the bottom of the fourth, Alec Reilly triggered a rally with a double into left center field. Jay Cassady walked and Hodges followed with an infield single that would have plated at least one were it not for a sensational diving stop by the Mount Aloysius third baseman. The defensive gem only slowed the offense for a moment, though, as with the bases loaded, Caroline walked to plate the Captains' first run of the game. Moments later, Jonathan Fisher dribbled a grounder over the mound that chased home Cassady to pull CNU within one run, 3-2. 

With momentum shifting in favor of the Captains, Cassady slipped a hard-hit single through the right side with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Hodges continued his stellar performance with a single into left field and Caroline was a part of his third run-scoring play of the game when he singled through the right-side to score Cassady. The run knotted the game at 3-3 and the two relievers took control from their until the thrilling finish. 

The bottom of the order was the catalyst for the Captains offense with the 5-8 batters combining for eight of CNU's ten hits. Hodges led the way going 3-for-5 with a run scored while Cassady reached base in three of his five plate appearances with a pair of runs scored and a sacrifice bunt. Reilly's double came as part of a 2-for-5 day while Caroline was 2-for-4 with two RBI and the game-winning hit. 

Additionally, Conner Clark added a pair of hits for CNU and now has seven career base-hits in NCAA Tournament play. He now has an all-time record 238 career hits in 178 career games played. Clark ranks tied for 13th among active players in Division III and has more hits in fewer games played than all but six current Division III athletes. 

Christopher Newport will now shift it's focus to the host and No. 2-ranked Marietta College Pioneers (39-5), whom they will face in Saturday's second day of action. The Pioneers had to grind out a 9-7 win against Kalamazoo in the first game on Friday. The Captains faced Marietta earlier this season and captured a 7-2 win against the Etta Express while playing on a neutral field in Kannapolis, N.C. 

Saturday's first game will feature Kalamazoo versus Mount Aloysius in an elimination game at 11:00 a.m. followed by the CNU/Marietta bout at approximately 2:30 p.m. The winner of game three and the loser of game four will then play in another elimination game at 6:00 p.m. with the right to play for the regional title on Sunday on the line. Tickets are on sale now through the tournament website. For fans unable to attend in person, live stats and a live video webcast will be provided online.