MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Scoring six runs over the last two innings, the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport baseball team salvaged a win over Manchester University (1-2) on Saturday afternoon as the Captains pulled out a 12-11 victory to open their Spring Break trip to Myrtle Beach. CNU improved to 6-3 after belting nine extra-base hits in the win. 

Junior outfielder Ayden Stuffel fell just a big fly shy of the cycle as he led Christopher Newport in the victory with a triple, two doubles, and a pivotal game-tying single in the top of the 8th inning. His base hit set up a ninth-inning go-ahead sacrifice fly by Jake Benedict to put the Captains ahead and send on senior closer Christian Williams to finish out the win. Stuffel finished the game 4-for-5 with 2 RBI and a run scored, headlining a group of five Captains with multi-hit performances. 

In fact, the first four batters in the lineup all finished two hits apiece while Benedict, Josh Reinhold, and Aaron Maxie combined for 6 RBI and 6 runs scored. Sam Benedict, hitting in the two-hole, went 2-for-4 with a pair of walks and a couple of runs scored. 

The Spartans jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second inning before junior Cooper Newell could right the ship and clear the third and fourth frames unscathed. the Captains offense got him a no decision by scoring four times in the top of the third and twice in the second before he exited the game with four strikeouts and just five hits allowed. Unfortunately for the Captains, Manchester scored five more runs in the bottom of the sixth to retake the lead, 11-6. 

Eli Novario came on to snuff out the rally with a strikeout and an out at the plate to finish the sixth. He then also cruised through the seventh inning, 1-2-3, to keep the Captains close. CNU then knotted the game back up at 11-11 with a big eighth inning. 

Doc Daniels led off the inning with a pinch hit walk and then moved up to third on a double by Jake Benedict. After Sam Benedict walked to load the bases, the Spartans went to a new pitcher to face Josh Reinhold. The junior shortstop keyed on the reliever, ripping a two-run double into the gap and brought up Aaron Maxie. Maxie grounded out but drove in a run as the Spartans ceded the third run to get the out, but an error on the next play extended the inning and allowed Reinhold to come in and score. Stuffel then stepped in with a runner in scoring position and a single into center field chased in Gavin Spencer, the pinch runner, to tie the game up at 11. 

Marcus Dux came on to pitch the eighth and worked a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout to send CNU back to the dish with the momentum. Leading off the inning with his first at-bat after coming on as a defensive replacement in right field, Brayden Mazzoni smashed a double into the corner to put the go-ahead runner in scoring position with nobody out. Mazzoni's first career hit proved the difference as he came around to score two batters later. After Daniels advanced him to third with a deep fly to right, Benedict stepped in and hit one deep to left for a sacrifice fly. 

Clinging to a one-run lead, the Captains called on Christian Williams for the ninth inning. After a leadoff single, the Spartans sacrificed the runner to second base, but Williams locked in with a pair of groundball outs to close out his third save of the season. Dux (1-0) picked up the win in relief.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Sunday, March 2 as they are set to face Saint Elizabeth University at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach.