NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Third-ranked Christopher Newport (19-4, 6-2) swept a USA South Athletic Conference doubleheader versus N.C. Wesleyan College today, pounding out 26 hits and scoring 21 runs on the day. The Bishops drop to 14-17, 2-6 in the league after CNU won 11-4 in game one, and 10-2 in the second. Senior catcher Ben Lenda had five RBI and two runs scored on the day, going 4-8 at the plate.

In the first game, junior ace Greg Goldsmith started for the Captains, coming off his first loss of the year.  The right-hander shook off a two-run third inning to retire 12 of the next 13 batters and keep CNU in the game headed into the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Captains had pulled within one, 2-1, in the bottom of the sixth, when Shannon Mark singled to center field to score CNU's first run of the game. The offense broke wide open in the seventh in support of Goldsmith, scoring 10 runs in the frame.

Matt Shoemaker kicked things off with a double and Steven Keener reached with his 15th HBP of the season, leading the nation. That set up an RBI double from Lenda, the first of two run-scoring hits in the inning. After a single by Chris McDougal, Mark stepped in and laced a two-RBI triple to right field, moving into sole possession of the career record with 11.

Billy Steel, Luke Saunders and Lenda added RBI hits before the Captains were through in the inning, opening up a 11-2 lead. Goldsmith finished out the last two innings to pick up the complete game win, scattering 10 hits and 2 earned runs with four strikeouts.

In the second game, the Captains bats wasted little time racing out to a big lead. CNU scored five runs in the second and four in the third in support of starter Jacob Vaughan. With two on, McDougal smacked a hard double over the center fielders head to plate both runs. Mark walked and Steel tripled to left for two more RBI.

With the big lead, Vaughan pitched well, striking out five in six innings of four-hit ball, allowing just one run. In relief, juniors Rich Lindasy, Matt Verdillo and Ryan Fleischmann gave up just one run in three innings of work. Fleischmann struck out the side in the ninth to close out the win. 

CNU had nine extra-base hits on the day. Lenda led the way offensively, going 4-8 with five RBI and two runs scored. McDougal also had four hits, going 4-6 with three RBI and three runs scored, while Marks' 5-8 saw him score twice and drive in four.

N.C. Wesleyan was led by Andre Nichols in the first game, going 3-for-5 with a run scored, and Jake Alexander, who drove in three with a 2-for-4 performance. Pat Laffin had four hits on the day for the Bishops as the team fell to 2-6 in league play.

The Captains will head to #7 Salisbury this Thursday, March 29 for a 2:00 pm tilt against the Sea Gulls. CNU will return home next weekend against Averett University.