NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christopher Newport junior Jack Braley (2-0) struck out six and scattered five hits while spinning a complete game shutout for the nationally-ranked Captains, leading the home team to a 4-0 win on Tuesday afternoon. In a game that took just one hour and 52 minutes, Braley logged the first complete game shutout for CNU at home since March 31, 2012 when Greg Goldsmith pitched a one-hitter against Averett. 

The Manassas, Va. native faced only five batters over the minimum against the Knights on Tuesday and recorded the first complete game by a CNU pitcher since Michael Thomas in late March 2016 -- that game came on the road at Bridgewater. The last CG at home was pitched by Bryan Bierlein in 2014, and Goldsmith's 2012 outing was the most recent solo shutout for the CNU pitching staff, nearly 11 years ago to the day. 

Utilizing the defense behind him, Braley induced 13 groundball outs including a pair of inning-ending double plays. The defense stood tall for the junior righty, including a pair of highlight-reel web gems from center fielder Jake Benedict and first baseman Justin Bowers. In the top of the fourth inning, Southern Virginia left fielder Marcelino Leonardo hit a flare to right center that looked destined to find grass, but rookie center fielder Jake Benedict came soaring in for a dazzling dive for the inning-ending grab. In the top of the eighth, Bowers helped secure the clean sheet with a runner on third base by leaping high into the air on a line drive toward first, making the snag. 

Throughout the matchup, the Captains defense stood tall with a flawless performance behind Braley. Sam Benedict at third, Josh Reinhold at shortstop, and Justin Liakos each covered the infield with Reinhold leading the way with six assists and Liakos adding five. Benedict showed off a rifle from the hot corner, cutting down two would be baserunners. 

With their junior starter putting up zeroes, the Captains offense scored all they would need with a single run in the bottom of the first. They would add another run in the fifth and two more in the sixth as designated hitter Daniel Elliott led the way with two hits and two RBI. 

In the first inning, CNU scored an run when Zach Dzarnowski reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Justin Bowers walked, Jake Benedict slapped a 1-0 pitch into center field to chase in the eventual game-winning run. CNU tacked on another in the bottom of the fifth when Elliott led off with a single and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Liakos. Two batters later, Reinhold singled to second base and Elliott trotted home. 

In the sixth, Benedict led off with another base hit and moved up on a walk and sac bunt. Elliott then delivered a two-run single up the middle to cap an excellent return to the starting lineup -- it was his first start since March 3 after being sidelined with an injury. He extended a modest four-game hitting streak with the 2-for-4 showing. 

The Captains will have a quick turnaround as they travel to North Carolina Wesleyan University for a matchup on Wednesday night. The game, originally scheduled for 3:00 p.m., will now be played at 6:00 p.m. against the Battling Bishops, who are receiving votes in the D3baseball.com Top 25.