NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Sophomore designated hitter Steven Keener blasted a pair of go-ahead two-run home runs to lead Christopher Newport (4-1) past #2 Cortland State (0-2) on the diamond today, 7-3. The Captains upset the nationally ranked Red Dragons marking the second time in three years CNU has upended the #2 team in the country (W, 7-3; #2 Salisbury on April 24, 2009).

Reliever Matt Verdillo notched his first career win, pitching three scoreless innings, striking out five and allowing just two hits. It was Verdillo's fourth appearance already this season.

Both starting pitchers settled in early and were stellar on Saturday. The two starters combined for 12 strikeouts through the first four innings, holding both offenses at bay. In the fifth though, Captains senior Tyler McElhenny gave up a solo home run to Kris Gentzke to put Cortland State on top. McElhenny responded with a strikeout to end the inning and get out of five with just one run allowed.

It didn't take long for CNU to answer, as the Captains added two in the bottom half of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. After a Matt Shoemaker double down the left field line, Keener hit a laser over the right field fence for his first homer of the year.

Cortland State tacked on two more in the top of the sixth, as catcher Tim Panetta hit a home run that carried out to right field, giving the Red Dragons the 3-2 lead. McElhenny finished his day with a quality start, pitching six innings with three earned runs and six strikeouts.

After another Shoemaker single in the seventh, Keener stepped in with another chance to put CNU on top. He didn't miss his chance as he sent another shot down the right field line, just getting out over the foul pole. Christopher Newport would not give up the lead again, and added three more in the bottom of the eighth for the final, 7-3.

In the eighth, Steven Lindemuth drove in two with an RBI single and Shoemaker drove in one with a groundout to the shortstop.

After an inning-opening error in the top of the ninth, Verdillo gave up a single to the left side allowing two baserunners with no out. The sophomore responded to the pressure by striking out the next three guys to close out the game for the win.

Drue Vernon led the Captains with three hits, scoring once, while Keener and Shoemaker were each 2-for-4.

Cortland State starter Aaron Schuldt pitched five innings, striking out 10 for the Red Dragons, allowing just two runs. Panetta, Grentzke and Dan Kaplan were each 2-for-4 on the day.

CNU improves to 4-1 early this season and will return to action on Sunday as they play host to Bridgewater College.