GREENSBORO, N.C. — The No. 8 ranked Marietta College baseball team dropped a 5-1 decision to No. 20 Christopher Newport University Friday (Feb. 23) afternoon at First National Bank Field. The loss drops Marietta to 0-2 on the season, while Christopher Newport improves to 6-1 overall.
 
CNU starting pitcher Brandon Cassady (2-0) delivered 7.0 strong innings allowing just one unearned run on two hits. He walked one and struck out seven Pioneers. Christian Williams and Kyle Lewis each pitched an inning of shutout relief.
 
Marietta scored in the top of the first inning. Nick Bonnizzio was hit by a pitch and Cole Rieman sacrifice bunted him to second base. Alex Richter reached on catcher's interference and then Ben Kaplin delivered an RBI single to left scoring Bonnizzio.
 
The Captains answered with a run in the bottom of the first.  Scott Crosson led off with a double down the leftfield line and moved to third on an error by the Pioneer second baseman. Following a walk, Lincoln Lubsen hit a sacrifice fly to rightfield scoring Crosson.
 
Christopher Newport added a run in the third, two more in the fourth and a final run in the seventh. Lubsen hit a solo home run in the third and then drew a bases loaded walk in the fourth for his third RBI of the game. Josh Reinhold also worked a bases loaded walk in CNU's two-run fourth. Jake Benedict drove I the final run with an RBI double in the seventh.
 
Freshman Austin Ziance (0-1) got the start on the mound for Marietta. He gave up four runs on four hits in 3.2 innings of work. Jared Bees, Zach Marzetz and Sam Johnson all threw in relief for the Pioneers.
 
Marietta was held to four hits in the game. Bonnizzio, Richter, and Kaplin each singled, while Cael Magill had a double.
 
Marietta plays No. 6 ranked University of Lynchburg Saturday (Feb. 24) at 1:15 p.m.