NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Fans at Captains Park on Saturday afternoon were treated to a record-setting offensive explosion as the two teams combined for the most runs ever scored during a doubleheader in Christopher Newport baseball history. The fourth-ranked Captains swept previously undefeated Frostburg State in the Capital Athletic Conference season opening doubleheader, with over 50 runs crossing the plate. CNU won game one, 26-12, and rounded out the day with a 10-6 win in game two. 

The Captains improved to 12-2 overall and 2-0 in league play, while Frostburg State slips to 10-2, 0-2. The finale of the three-game series will be played at Noon on Sunday, March 17. 

CNU belted 18 extra-base hits, including five home runs, as part of a 33-hit parade in the twin bill on Saturday. The aforementioned home stadium record is also an overall program record for total runs scored in back-to-back games, highlighted by the dominant CNU attack especially in game one.  

It was actually the visiting Bobcats that got out to a better start on Saturday afternoon, scoring seven runs, with three blasts of their own, in the top of the third inning to take a 7-1 lead. CNU starter Josh Husby (3-1) shrugged off the big inning and put confidence in his offense to get him back into the game, while strapping in and battling through three more scoreless innings to earn the win. Just the one inning marred Husby's outing, as the sophomore right-hander finished with 6.0 innings pitched and seven strikeouts. All seven runs and six of his seven hits allowed came in the third frame. 

Meanwhile, the offense did pick up their starting pitcher, tying the game with five runs in the fourth and pulling ahead with four more in the fifth. The game was broken open in the seventh when the Captains sent 18 batters to the plate, batting around twice and scoring 12 runs. Not finished, the potent lineup tacked on three more runs on three hits in the 8th inning. 

The game now riddles the Captains' record book as the 26 runs plated are tied for the second most in a single game in program history. The five home runs hit are tied for fourth most in a game and the Captains drove in a record-tying 26 runs, matching the standard set in 2002 against Virginia State. With seven different players logging multi-hit performances, the Captains also registered the most hits in a game (23) since 1997, when the record was set at 26 against Castleton State. 

Impressive individual numbers smatter the box score, including a 3-for-3 performance off the bench from senior Joseph Cutchins. Cutchins stepped in during his first at-bat and delivered his second pinch-hit grand slam of the season when he crushed a 1-2 pitch well over the left field wall during the 12-run 7th inning. He also came up later in the inning and picked up his second hit of the frame. In the bottom of the 8th, Cutchins stepped in again and doubled over the left fielder for two more RBI, capping a 6-RBI day. 

Senior Nicholas Baham also paced the Captains attack, going 4-for-6 with 4 RBI, 2 runs scored and a towering three-run homer in CNU's big inning. CNU also got big flies from Seth Woodard, Nick DiNapoli, and the first career round-tripper from Trey Hicks. Ryan Grubbs, the only starter without a hit in the contest, still managed to create havoc for the Frostburg State pitching staff with four walks and a hit-by-pitch, reaching base five times in seven plate appearances. 

Despite the eye-popping offensive numbers, the Captains also made several noteworthy defensive plays. In the second inning, DiNapoli made a highlight-reel diving stop up the middle before flicking to Austin Henry, who rifled the relay over to first to beat the runner on a stellar double-play. Later in the contest, Jordan Mason came in on a ball destined to find the grass but the senior center fielder dove forward and maintained control as his wrist rolled under his body for the sensational grab. 

In the game, CNU scored multiple runs against five of the six Bobcats pitchers. 

The second game looked to be a stark contrast through the first three innings as the Bobcats came up with the only run with a solo homer to lead off the second inning by Ryan Roell. Both starting pitchers cruised through the first time down the lineup card, including the Captains' Teddy Herbert, who had four K's through three innings. FSU connected for two more runs in the fourth as Herbert fell behind, 3-0, but again the powerful CNU lineup stepped in to support their starting pitcher. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Mason walked, Hicks was drilled, and John Anderson walked to load the bases. That brought up sophomore Eric O'Brien who delivered a two-run double to right center to get the Captains on the board. Two batters later, Conner Clark smacked a double down the left field line to plate two more and give the Captains the lead, 4-3. Not finished, Woodard walked to set up a double steal with Clark to cap a five-run inning for the Captains. 

CNU never looked back, scoring five more runs in the seventh to pull ahead, 10-3. Again, Cutchins was right in the thick of things as he singled with one out to get the run started. With two outs, O'Brien delivered another RBI double, plating Cutchins and setting himself up to score on Henry's double which came next. Clark made it three straight two-base hits and Woodard followed with a triple to right center. The Captains' final run of the game would come on a bases loaded walk by Mason to score the 10th run of the game, 36th of the day for CNU. 

On the mound, Herbert improved to 3-1 with a 5-inning effort, allowing four earned on six hits while striking out six. The bullpen continues to impress as Carter Strain ,Tyler Jumper, and Brian Owens each worked perfect frames to set up Andrew Suppa in the ninth. The junior closer struggled a bit, allowing two runs on two hits, but the Captains closed out the win, 10-6. 

Jumper appeared in both games on Saturday and has now seen action in 10 of CNU's 14 games this season. He has yet to give up an earned run in 16.2 innings of work, striking out 17 batters with just eight hits allowed. The junior right-handed reliever has not allowed a run in eight straight outings for a streak of 14.2 innings. 

Following Saturday's doubleheader sweep, the Captains and Bobcats will return to play the finale of the CAC three-game series on Sunday. Game time has been moved up to Noon and first pitch from Captains Park will be available online in a live video webcast and live stats.