NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The fourth-ranked Christopher Newport Captains (8-2, 1-0) picked up their first USA South win of the season today, beating Greensboro College (7-4, 2-1) in a 9-6 final. Seniors Ben Lenda and Matt Shoemaker each picked up a pair of two-run home runs, while junior reliever Matt Verdillo earned his first save with two impressive innings of relief.

The game was pushed back to 2:30 pm due to rainy conditions overnight, but sophomore starter Bryan Bierlein was seemingly unphased by the adjustment. Bierlien was terrific early, striking out four in the first three innings and allowing just two hits.

CNU spotted their sophomore ace with three runs in the bottom of the second, courtesy primarily on Lenda's blast to left field. With two outs, first baseman Steven Keener reached on an HBP, setting up Lenda's homer in the next at-bat. The Captains kept the inning going, scoring one more on an error by the second baseman two batters later.

The Pride got to Bierlein in the fourth, albeit with small ball. Austin Catherina singled up the middle to lead off, followed by a pair of bunts to load the bases with nobody out. Steven Pfeiffer walked to score thee first run and a sacrifice fly from Seth Caison pulled Greensboro within one. The third run came home on a botched squeeze play when Lenda's throw hit the runner and caromed away.

With the game tied, Bierlein retired the side in the fifth and the Captains offense picked him up with six runs in the bottom half. Shoemaker's dinger plated himself and Billy Steel to re-take the lead, 5-3. Then, with two outs, Luke Saunders singled to right, followed by a pair of walks by Keener and Lenda to load the bases.

Greensboro made a pitching change, bringing in Brian Robbett to face rookie designated hitter Andy Viands. The freshman stepped up and drilled a hard single to left field to score two more runs and move Lenda to third. The senior catcher came around to score the sixth run of the inning on a balk.

Greensboro tacked on two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh, but Verdillo came on in the eighth and shut down the Pride's comeback attempt. Verdillo struck out two in the eighth and after a lead-off double to start the ninth, struck out the side to close out the win.

Saunders and Shannon Mark each were 2-4, while Lenda, Shoemaker and Viands each had two RBI in the win. Greensboro was led by Catherina, going 3-5 with two runs scored.

The Captains return to action against the Pride on Sunday at 1:00 pm.