BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The second-ranked Christopher Newport
Captains (29-6) scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth
inning, roaring past #12 Shenandoah University (26-10) in the 2012
USA South Conference Championship today, winning their second
straight conference title. CNU won, 7-4, scoring four runs on five
hits in the eighth, beating the Hornets for the second straight day
with go-ahead runs in the eighth inning.
With runners at the corner and nobody out, senior first baseman
Steven Keener stepped up with the Captains
trailing, 4-3. Keener smoked a double to right center field,
plating both runners and giving the Captains the lead. Designated
hitter Christopher McDougal singled up the middle
with one out, scoring another, and pinch runner Andy
Viands scored the fourth run on a long double to center
field by Billy Steel.
CNU trailed the Hornets from the start, when Shenandoah scored two
runs in the first and one in the second. The Captains clawed back
one run at a time, scoring in the third, fifth and seventh inning
to set up the 4-3 deficit in the eighth.
After the big go-ahead inning, CNU called on closer Ryan
Fleischmann, who retired the side 1-2-3 to secure his
ninth save of the year and the Captains second straight
championship.
Starting for CNU was rookie James Walsh, who
overcame some early struggles locating to pitch effectively for 5
1/3, giving up three earned runs on seven hits. Junior
Richard Lindsay (4-0) held Shenandoah scoreless
for 2.2 innings of relief to pick up the win, allowing just one hit
and striking out three.
Freshman Adam Emerson started for the Hornets, giving up three
earned over 6 1/3 innings, and closer Kyle Scallion (0-2) took the
loss with four earned in one inning of work.
Shoemaker was 3-4 in the game, shaking off a rough start to the
tournament by kick-starting the eighth and scored the game-tying
run. Senior Ben Lenda finished 2-3 in the game,
scoring twice with an RBI. He hit a solo home run to lead off the
fifth, pulling CNU within one at the time, 3-2.
Lenda was named the USA South Tournament MVP, hitting three homers
in four games, hitting .571 (8-14) with four RBI and seven runs
scored. Connor Madden, Billy Steel and Matt Verdillo joined him on
the All-Tournament squad, each named to their second straight.
CNU wins its fifth USA South Conference Tournament and second
straight. The Captains earn the league's automatic bid into the
NCAA Tournament, held in May.
2012 USA South
Baseball Championship All-Tournament Team
P - Chris Perry, Methodist
P - Matt Verdillo, Chris. Newport
DH - Nick Beall, Shenandoah
OF - Kyle Newcomb, Averett
OF - Pat Laffin, N.C. Wesleyan
OF - Connor Madden, Chris. Newport
1B - Cory Nelson, Shenandoah
2B - Mike Minch, Shenandoah
SS - Billy Steel, Chris. Newport
3B - Jimbo Newcomb, Averett
C - Ben Lenda, Chris. Newport*
*Tournament MVP