Mattfield pitches No. 5 Lynchburg to win over CNU

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Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg baseball took down Christopher Newport for the second-straight day on Sunday afternoon.

Nick Mattfield started for the fifth-ranked Hornets but got into trouble in the first. After retiring the first batter, Mattfield found himself in a bases-loaded jam. However, the sophomore got a strikeout and a groundout to escape the early threat. Mattfield settled in and faced the minimum in five of the next six innings while striking out seven.

Garrett Jackson led off the fourth inning with his team trailing 1-0. He reached on an error and came around to score on a PJ Alvanos single. Gavin Collins gave the Hornets the lead with an RBI groundout, and Riley O'Donovan laced an RBI single over the second baseman's head to pad the lead. 

Avery Neaves helped Lynchburg pad the lead a little more after doubling in the eighth, stealing third, and scoring on another Collins groundout. The junior from Reston, Va. had three hits on the day and extended his hitting streak to six games. He has also reached base safely each game this year. 

Grayson Thurman relieved Mattfield in the top half of that inning, struck out three batters, and earned his ninth save of the year. Thurman is tied for the national lead in saves.

Lynchburg started up its first winning streak against the Captains since beating CNU in consecutive meetings in 2002 and 2006. 

The Hornets (23-5, 10-1 ODAC) get back to conference play on Tuesday, Apr. 12 at 3:30 p.m against Randolph-Macon.

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--LYN--