NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - No. 1/1 Shenandoah University moved within one win of its first-ever USA South Conference regular season baseball title with a 12-7 victory Saturday at No. 2/2 Christopher Newport.

Shenandoah (21-1, 9-0 USA South) can clinch its first-ever title with a victory tomorrow over the Captains (28-3, 9-2).

Playing before a Captains Park-record 960 fans, the Hornets rebounded from a five-run CNU fourth with three runs in the fifth, three more in the sixth and four in the eighth.

Senior Bobby Stefanowicz (1-0), the third of five SU pitchers, earned the win with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Stefanowicz allowed one run on four hits in facing 11 Captains hitters.

Shenandoah had 11 hits against four CNU pitchers including home runs from seniors Clint DeHaven and Mike Smith and junior Cory Nelson.

DeHaven gave SU the lead for good with his two-run dinger in the fifth; DeHaven's team-leading seventh HR of the spring also scored classmate Greg Van Sickler. Van Sickler, a pre-season All-America, plated fellow All-America Kevin Brashears with a double to right.

Nelson and Smith led off the fourth and sixth, respectively, with solo shots.

DeHaven, who had a grand slam in Monday's win over Virginia Wesleyan, also had a two-run double in the eighth.

DeHaven finished his day 3 for 5 with four RBI, Van Sickler and Nelson had two RBI each and Brashears scored four runs.

Drue Vernon, Ben Lenda and Matt Shoemaker all had two hits each for Christopher Newport.

The two teams complete the weekend series with a 1:00 Sunday game. Van Sickler (7-0) is the Hornets expected starter.