NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Junior third baseman Luke Saunders led the way for CNU, going 4-for-4 with a go-ahead home run, as the Captains cruised past St. Mary's College (2-1) today, 11-6. CNU improves to 2-1 overall, collecting ten extra-base hits in the win as rookie Bryan Bierlein earned his first collegiate W.

Saunders two-run blast in the bottom half of the fifth inning gave CNU the lead for good. He finished the day with three RBI and a couple runs scored, adding a double and two singles. Freshman Billy Steel broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh inning, with a bases-loaded double, clearing the bases for a three-RBI hit.

Eight of the Captains 15 total hits were doubles, including three from Steven Lindemuth. CNU added a triple and Saunders' homer in the game for ten extra-base hits.

Bierlein was impressive in his first collegiate start, going five innings and allowing just one earned run. The freshman struck out two in his first win of the 2011 season.

The Captains surrendered a first-inning lead when Jon Stewart singled in a run. CNU answered with two in the bottom half, leading off the game with back-to-back doubles from Shannon Mark and Drue Vernon. Saunders followed with a single to score Vernon and give the Captains the early lead.

St. Mary's tied it up in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice fly from designated hitter Nick Urso, but Saunders two-run home run in the bottom half would give CNU the lead for good.

The Captains tied the school record for doubles in an inning with three in the seventh, including Steel's bases-clearing two-bagger down the left field line. His swing capped a five-run seventh that gave the Captains a six-run lead, 10-4.

After the Seahawks pulled back within four in the top of the eighth, sophomore Matt Verdillo came in and closed the door, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and striking out the side in the ninth to earn the save.

Christopher Newport will be back in action at Captains Park tomorrow, as the team plays host to Randolph-Macon College at 2:00 pm. Live stats will be available at CNUsports.com.