NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christopher Newport sophomore first baseman Nicholas Baham (Smithfield, Va.) continued his torrid start to the 2017 baseball season on Friday afternoon, putting together a career-best performance in a win over Susquehanna University (0-1).  CNU improved to 5-5 after defeating the River Hawks on a beautiful day at Captains Park, behind a 4-for-5 effort at the plate by the team's offensive leader, including a pair of two-run home runs. 

Baham delivered six RBI on a day the Captains scored eight runs, torturing Susquehanna pitching all day. The lone at-bat he was retired, the sophomore righty hammered a missile to right center field that forced a nice play out of the River Hawks outfield. His two round-trippers give Baham five for the season through the first ten games, as his hot start to the season continues. He is now hitting .442 (19-43) with eight extra-base hits, 16 RBI, and 13 runs scored. 

On the other side of the field, Christopher Newport senior lefty Michael Thomas (2-0) also stayed hot, putting together a third consecutive strong start for the Captains. After giving up an unearned run in the first, the Captains' starter whirled an impressive 7.0 innings of work, striking out nine while scattering five hits, all singles. 

Susquehanna struck first when their rookie shortstop Anthony Dombrowski led off with a single to right field. He came around to score on a throwing error by the Captains, but Thomas struck out back-to-back batters to end the threat. In the bottom half of the inning, the Captains wasted no time taking the lead for good.  Jordan Mason walked, and moved up to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Joseph Cutchins. After a strikeout, Baham stepped up to the plate and smashed a no-doubter over the left field wall to put the Captains ahead, 2-1. 

The Captains started the second inning the same way, getting a lead-off single from A.J. Nicely, moving up on a sac bunt by Brandon Walker. After another strikeout, Mason singled home Nicely with a terrific two-strike cut to flare a shot into left field. 

After a pair of scoreless innings, Baham delivered again in the bottom of the fifth. He only reached the plate with the help of a River Hawks error to extend the inning, putting Keith Roberts on base with two outs. Baham took advantage and blistered an 0-1 pitch over the left field wall again, putting CNU up 5-1. 

CNU tacked on two more in the bottom of  the sixth, including an RBI single by Baham for his fifth RBI. Designated hitter Brandon Ginch also delivered an RBI single, plating Roberts on the hit. The last bit of scoring came in the bottom of the 8th in Baham's final at-bat, when the sophomore singled home J.T. Bellotti, who reached on a one-out pinch-hit walk. 

In relief of Thomas, senior Caleb Myers and junior Joe Burris finished out the game with two shutout innings. For the River Hawks, Cory Fallon (0-1) picked up the loss, giving up three earned and five total runs over 5.0 innings pitched. Dombrowski led the way for Susquehanna, going 3-for-4 with a run scored. 

CNU will return to action on Saturday, taking on preseason number one SUNY Cortland (2-0) at approximately 2:00 pm. The Red Dragons are playing Susquehanna in a neutral site matchup on Saturday at 11:00 am, and the Captains will take the field 30 minutes following game one.