FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Scott Crosson rapped three hits in three at-bats to extend a nine-game hitting streak on Saturday afternoon, but the nationally-ranked Captains baseball team succumbed to Methodist University, 8-2, on the second day of the Armstrong Invitational. The Captains fall to 11-3 on the season while the Monarchs improved to 10-0 to start the year. 

Christopher Newport took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on the first of Crosson's three hits in the game, but the hosts capitalized on free baserunners in the bottom half with a go-ahead grand slam to take a 5-1 lead. CNU cut the lead to three in the second, but that would be all the scoring in the game for the Captains as Methodist tacked on single runs in the third, seventh, and eighth innings for the final score, 8-2. 

After the shaky start, CNU senior starter Dylan Weber (3-1) rallied to keep the Captains in the game over the next three innings, giving up just one more run to the Monarchs. He finished out a hard-fought start with five strikeouts and five earned runs allowed. 

Weber handed the ball to David Gingras, who kept Methodist off the board for two innings, striking out a pair. Rookie Dylan Blazer finished out the game, surrendering two runs on four hits over the final two frames. Blazer also struck out two in his second career appearance. 

CNU got on the board first after Sam Benedict led the game off with a four-pitch walk. He moved up to third on a two-out single by Alec Reilly, setting up the game's first RBI when Crosson stepped in for CNU. Jumping on the first pitch, Crosson singled up the middle to plate Benedict for the Captains lead. 

In the second, Eric Wilson reached on a hit-by-pitch and advanced to third when Drew Caroline singled into right field. A double-play chased in Wilson for CNU's second run of the game. 

CNU put two runners on in the third when Justin Bowers singled and Crosson walked, but both runners were stranded. In the sixth, Crosson beat out the play on an infield single and advanced to third on a double by Wilson, but again the Captains were left on base. Christopher Newport threatened a final time in the top of the eighth when Crosson kick-started a two-out rally with a single. Zach Dzarnowski and Eric Wilson walked to load the bases, but again the Methodist pitching staff wiggled out of the jam. 

The eight-game roll is the second longest hit streak of Crosson's career, behind a 12-game spurt last season. With seven hits in two games this weekend, he has raised his average to a team-high .409. 

Christopher Newport will return to action on Sunday to close out the Armstrong Invitational at Methodist University with an 11:00 a.m. matchup with Immaculata University. It will be the first ever pairing between the two teams -- live stats and live video will be available at CNUsports.com.