DEMOREST, Ga. -- Christopher Newport University (10-1), ranked 25th in the nation, broke through with a four-run eighth inning to take the lead and held on for the 6-3 final over Piedmont College (8-5) on the road today. CNU won their ninth straight game, tying for the third longest winning streak in program history, led by leading slugger Connor Madden, who went 4-for-4 with his team-leading fourth home run of the season.

The Captains were ranked 25th in the nation in the first regular season poll released by D3Baseball.com earlier today. The Captains have raced out to one of the best starts in program history at 10-1 overall - CNU was 12-1 to start the 1995 season and 11-1 out of the gates in 2003.

In today's game, the Captains were again led by junior second baseman Matt Shoemaker and junior left fielder, Madden. Shoemaker is hitting .425 for the season with a team-high 17 runs scored, while Madden's four home runs and 22 RBI leads the squad early this season.

Rookie Bryan Bierlein started today's game for the Captains,  going five innings and recording five strikeouts. The freshman allowed two runs on eight hits in his second career start. Sophomore Ryan Fleischmann came on to record the win, pitching the final four innings and allowing just one unearned run on five hits.

Piedmont took the lead early, scoring in the bottom of the first on three hits. Josh Bailey scored on a John Duke RBI single before a Bierlein strikeout ended the threat. CNU evened the score in the third as CNU opened the inning with three straight hits. Rookie Billy Steel singled, Madden doubled and Shannon Mark scored Steel with an RBI single.

Madden gave CNU their first lead of the game in the top of the fifth when Madden led off the inning with a solo home run, but the home team answered in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly by Curtis Cornett.

With the score tied at two, the Captains would put some distance between them and Piedmont in the eighth, scoring four runs in the top half. Luke Saunders led off with a double and scored, along with Ben Lenda on a two-RBI single from Shoemaker. After a popout, Steel stepped in and singled home Shoemaker and then scored on a double by Madden, capping off the four-run inning.

Piedmont would add one in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly, but Fleischmann wrapped up the win without any further damage.

Madden finished the day 4-for-4 with 2 RBI and one run scored, posting three extra-base hits on the day with a pair of doubles and the solo homer. Steel was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI, and Shoemaker finished the day 1-for-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored.

The Captains pitching staff did a solid job limiting Piedmont opportunities, allowing just one extra-base hit on the day, a double by John Duke. Duke led the way for Piedmont, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Christopher Newport remains on the road for two more games before returning home this weekend. The Captains will play a pair of neutral site contests in Myrtle Beach, starting with Staten Island on Wednesday at 2:00 pm and concluding the six-game road trip against Alma on Thursday at Noon.