FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- Christopher Newport slipped to 1-1 early this season as the University of Mary Washington (3-0), receiving votes in the national rankings, dropped the Captains in a 5-3 final. CNU junior Sean Chitsaz started for the second straight game, allowing just one earned run in five innings pitched.

Mary Washington jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning after loading the bases with one out. Chitsaz got a ground ball to second, but an error extended the inning, scoring two, followed by a sacrifice fly.

The Captains pulled back within one in the top half of the sixth inning. With two outs and runners at the corner, Matt Shoemaker, singled home Luke Saunders to put CNU on the board for the first time in the game. Steven Keener followed with another single, scoring Steven Lindemuth to get CNU back within one, 3-2.

The Eagles answered with two in the bottom half of the sixth, though, to extend the lead back to three. CNU held Mary Washington empty the rest of the way, as Greg Goldsmith and Tyler McElhenny each pitched one scoreless inning for the Captains.

Christopher Newport added one run in the top half of the ninth as rookie Billy Steel collected his first career hit with an RBI single.

Chitsaz pitched five innings and gave up three runs, one earned. He struck out two, giving up seven hits. Shoemaker led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Connor Madden and Shannon Mark each added two hits for CNU in the loss.

Santino Rosanova collected three hits for the Eagles, helping lead the Eagles to a 3-0 start to the season. Senior Parker Talbert earned the win in his first appearance this season.

The Captains return to action on Wednesday as they host St. Mary's College (Md.) at 2:00 pm. Live stats will be available here.