NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Playing in the longest game in program history, the 10th-ranked Christopher Newport baseball team found the game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth before walking it off against Immaculata University (26-17) in the bottom of the 15th, 3-2. Sophomore Josh Reinhold delivered a one-out double to the wall in right field to chase home pinch runner Gus Croll for the game-winning blow after nine pitchers combined to surrender just five runs in the first game of the NCAA Newport News Regional. 

Facing a 2-1 deficit in their final at-bat, Zach Dzarnowski led off the bottom of the ninth with a pivotal single into center field. Rookie Jacob Koenig pinch ran for the DH and promptly moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lincoln Lubsen. Coming through with the game-tying knock was sophomore outfielder Ayden Stuffel, who blistered a groundball up the middle to allow Koenig to make the turn around third for home. The throw was off line and the Captains tied the game, 2-2. CNU nearly walked it off in the ninth when Aaron Maxie launched a two-out fly ball to right field, but the Immaculata outfielder made a sensational diving play to save the game, at least momentarily, for the Mighty Macs. 

In extra time, the bullpens took over and put together four and a half impressive innings for both teams as the score remain tied 2-2 until the Captains were at the plate in the bottom half of the 15th. With one out, Jake Benedict deposited a first-pitch fastball into left field and was lifted for Croll at first base. Senior Scott Crosson followed with another single into left to put the potential game-winning run in scoring position for Reinhold. After working himself into a hitter's count at 3-1, Reinhold picked out a pitch and drove it the opposite way. This time, the right fielder could not chase it down as the ball one-hopped the wall and Croll sped home to win the game, 3-2. 

While the offense provided the thrilling finish, it was a tremendous overall effort by the Christopher Newport pitching staff that led the way in the postseason victory. After giving up two runs in the first inning, the Captains shut out Immaculata for 14 straight including a dominant four and two-thirds by senior Daniel Elliott. Elliott retired the first 14 batters he faced, striking out seven, before exiting the game in the 12th inning. 

He handed the ball off to Colin D'Arcy, who needed just one pitch to end the 12th with a popup, and promptly retired five in a row. Between Elliott and D'Arcy, the duo retired 21 of the 23 batters faced in seven innings of relief. In the top of the 15th, the team's leader in pitching appearances this year, Kyle Lewis, took over and worked a clean frame for the Captains with one strikeout and one walk. He earned the win and improved to 4-0 this season as CNU walked it off in the bottom of the inning. 

Fifth-year senior Dylan Weber started for the Captains and added six strikeouts to his Division III leading total for the year. He settled for the no decision after his tenth quality start this season, pitching into the seventh inning while allowing two runs on six hits while walking four. Danny Checkosky got the final two outs of the seventh with one strikeout and Colby Shriner opened things up for the staff in the seventh. 

In all, five CNU relievers combined to throw 8.2 innings while giving up just one hit. They combined for nine strikeouts and three walks. 

The Captains attack was led by Jake Benedict with three hits in six at-bats. Crosson was 2-for-5 and Stuffel was 2-for-5, including the game-tying RBI base hit in the ninth. 

CNU improves to 27-9 overall this season after playing in the longest game in program history by innings. The previous record was a 2-0 win over Ferrum College in a 14.0 inning game on March 17, 2012. The NCAA Regional game was played in just over four hours in front of over 300 fans. 

Christopher Newport will return to action on day two of the Newport News, VA Regional with a 12:00 p.m. game time tentatively scheduled against the winner of game two between No. 17 N.C. Wesleyan and Scranton.