CNU Comes From Behind To Eliminate Greensboro, 5-4

BURLINGTON, NC - Christopher Newport's Mike Giarrizzi's base hit over the out-stretched glove of the Greensboro College first baseman kept the Captains alive and eliminated the Pride from the USA South Tournament Friday afternoon.

The Captains took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Alex Owen walked and Joey Martin singled. Zach Hutchison's single up the middle loaded the bases for Trae Bailey. Bailey grounded a pitch to the Pride third baseman who stepped on third for one out, but could not make a play on any of the other runners.

Greensboro took the lead 2-1 when they pushed across two runs in the top of the sixth. Kyle Bolick led off the inning by getting hit and advanced to second on Taylor Kennedy's sacrifice bunt. Pat Burgess reached on an error, putting runners on the corners. Burgess promptly stole second and Jess Maloney was intentionally walked. Daniel Poindexter followed with a sacrifice fly to center where Giarrizzi made a diving catch to save two runs. Andrew Norris followed with a single to plate the second run of the inning.

Alex Guerra led off the seventh by reaching on a CNU error and advaned to second on a sacrifice bunt. Bolick followed by doubling to left-center which score Guerra. Bolick would come around and score on a wild pitch.

The Captains would cut the lead in half in the bottom of the frame as Eric Cole doubled to lead off the inning. GC then got the next two CNU hitters out before walking Alex Owen and Joey Martin to load the bases. Hutchison also walked forcing in a run to cut the lead to 4-2.

In the eighth, Ryan McDougal walked and Giarrizzi singled. Cole executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Parker Neal followed by driving a ball to the Pride's second baseman who over-threw hit first baseman, allowing both runners to score which tied the game at 4-4.

In the bottom of the ninth, Greensboro got the first two Christopher Newport hitters out before Bailey reached on an error and advanced to second as the ball got away from the Pride defender. McDougal was intentionally walked, setting up Giarrizzi's RBI single to win the game.

Bolick and Norris each finished 2-for-4 for Greensboro. Bolick also scored two runs.

Giarrizzi led the Captains going 3-for-5. Cole was 2-for-3.

Kent Gilliland started for GC, lasting six innings. He allowed two runs on five hits and struck out two. Torrey Poholsky pitched the ninth and suffered the loss.

Ian Lenda started for Christopher Newport. The freshman tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowed four unearned runs on five hits and struck out four. Kevin Moreland pitched 2 1/3 perfect innings in relief to pick up his first win of the year.

Greensboro falls to 20-17 overall while CNU improves to 20-14. The Captains will play NC Wesleyan at 4:15 pm in an elimination game.

Box Score

CNU's Mike Giarrizzi drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to complete the Captains comeback. He finished 3-for-5.

Kyle Bolick beats the tag on a pick-off throw. Bolick was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.