Baseball Downs Greensboro, Falls To Methodist On Day One Of USA South Tournament

BURLINGTON, NC - Christopher Newport's baseball team opened the USA South Conference Tournament with a 4-3 win over Greensboro but dropped a 4-3 decision to Methodist in 12 innings Wednesday at Burlington Athletic Stadium.

Against Greensboro, Kenny Moreland pitched on three days rest for the first time this season and was solid on the mound allowing three runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out five to improve to 6-3 on the mound.

After four scoreless innings, the Captains scored one run in the fifth to claim a 1-0 advantage on an RBI double by Rob Quinn which scored Michael Kurbjeweit who singled earlier in the inning.

CNU would use some small ball to add two runs in the sixth, as Trey Collier, Garrett Robinson, and Kurbjeweit hit back-to-back-to-back one out singles. Trae Bailey laid down a bunt single to score Collier and Mike Giarrizzi bunted back to the pitcher to score Robinson and advance the Captains advantage to 3-0.

The Pride answered in the bottom of the sixth with one run. Brent Justice hit a one-out triple and was driven home on a double by Jeff Gregory to trim the deficit to 3-1.

Both teams tacked on one run in the seventh to bring the score to 4-2. CNU scored when Kurbjeweit was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. In the bottom of the inning, Taylor Kennedy hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Anthony Corona, who doubled earlier in the inning.

The Pride made things interesting in the ninth when Chad Clark singled to score Corona, who had doubled in the previous at bat. That pulled the Pride to within 4-3, which turned out to be the final.

Offensively, Kurbjeweit went 3-for-4 with one RBI. Bailey, Jayson Basanes, and John Corbin all had two hits for the Captains.

Against Methodist, Matt Hunt's single to right centerfield drove home Brad Davis to score the game-winning run to give the Monarchs a 4-3 win.

Zach Greenhaw walked to lead off the inning and Dustin Proctor pinch-ran. Davis reached on a fielder's choice, forcing Proctor out at second base. Jonathon Spivey drew a walk, putting runners on first and second setting up Hunt's single to win the game.

The Captains struck first in the top of the third inning. John Corbin was hit-by-pitch and advanced to third on Ryan McDougal's single. Corbin came around to score on a well-executed suicide squeeze.

That proved to be the only run until two outs in the eighth inning. With runners on second and third, Scott Russell's bloop single into shallow right field plated two Methodist's runners to put the Monarchs on top 3-2.

In the top of the ninth, McDougal led off with a ground ball into the hole between shortstop and third base, legged out the hit and the Monarch's throw got away from their first baseman which allowed McDougal to advance to second. Michael Fawley grounded out to second base, advancing McDougal to third. Garrett Robinson came up in a big way for the Captains with a RBI single to left field to tie the score at 2-2.

In the 11 th , the Captains took the lead 3-2. Corbin walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Corbin made a great base running decision as Jayson Basanes hit a soft fly into center field, Corbin, recognizing the ball was going to drop in front of the center fielder, scampered home to five CNU the lead.

Methodist quickly responded in the bottom of the inning, knotting the game at 3-3. Matt Mergo led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a strikeout, Michael Carter doubled to left center field scoring Mergo. Carter overran second base and was tagged out in the process.

McDougal and Robinson finished 2-for-4 and Basanes was 1-for-4 with two runs driven in.

Cary Bruner suffered the loss, tossing 1 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out one. Steven Mingee started and was solid for his six innings on the hill. The senior from Hampton, VA allowed no runs on six hits, walked two and struck out two. Ryan McDougal threw innings seven through 10 giving up two runs on one hit, walked one and struck out one.

CNU (16-15) will play the winner of an elimination game between Averett and Ferrum Thursday at 1:00 pm.

Greensboro Box
Methodist Box