Baseball Eliminates Greensboro, Then Gets Eliminated By NC Wesleyan

BURLINGTON, NC - CNU's baseball team eliminated Greensboro but then the Captains were eliminated by NC Wesleyan on day two of the USA South Tournament Friday.

Christopher Newport defeated the Pride 5-4 to complete a come-from-behind victory on Mike Giarrizzi's single in the bottom of the ninth.

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.

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.

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

The Captains were eliminated by the Bishops, 13-3 in the final game of the day.

The Bishops clubbed out 10 hits and took advantage of eight Christopher Newport walks and four errors in the double digit win.

NC Wesleyan scored once in the first on a wild pitch and erupted for seven more in the second and three more in the third. The Captains got one of those runs back but the Bishops increased their lead to 13-1 with a two-spot in the top of the sixth..

CNU scored two more times in the bottom of the seventh for the final margin.

Michael Kurbjeweit led the way for the Captains by going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Mike Giarrizzi also finished 2-for-3.

Christopher Newport is now 20-15 overall while the Bishops improve to 25-15. NC Wesleyan returns to action Saturday as they take on NC Wesleyan at 12:30 pm.

The Captains return to action Tuesday as they travel to Randolph-Macon with first pitch set for 3 pm.

Greensboro box
NC Wesleyan box