HAMPTON, Va. -- Rookie starter Nick Santalucia held the Apprentice School (21-13) to just three hits over six innings of work in leading the top-ranked Captains to a 9-1 victory at War Memorial Stadium today. Outfielder Shannon Mark drove in three runs in a 4-for-5 day including three doubles, pacing an offense that put up nine runs for the second straight game. 

The Captains improve to 37-4 overall this season with three games remaining on the regular season schedule.

The Apprentice School struck first, scoring a run in the bottom of the first as Corey Galllaway hit a sacrifice fly to plate Josh Tuck. It would be the only run the Builders could muster, though, as the freshman pitcher settled in for CNU. Santalucia recorded three 1-2-3 innings in the game and struck out four en route to his second win of the season.

The CNU offense, behind Mark's terrific performance, got started in the third inning. Connor Madden reached with a one-out double to right center and two batters later Mark blasted the first of his three doubles on the day, scoring the game-tying run.

In the fifth, Mark delivered a two-out triple to drive in the eventual game-winning run and then scored on an error by the third baseman. The Captains would deliver again in with two outs in the sixth, as Madden tripled down the right field line to score Billy Steel and Chris McDougal. CNU would score four more in the final two innings, including another RBI two-bagger from Mark and an RBI single from Drue Vernon.

On the hill, Santalucia gave way to senior Kyle Harsanyi, Matt Verdillo and Ryan Fleischmann, who each tossed a scoreless inning. Fleischmann tossed a perfect ninth, striking out a pair. CNU outhit the Builders 12-5 in the game, including six extra-base knocks.

Christopher Newport returns to action on Friday, as they travel to play Salisbury University in the final road game of the season. CNU will then host a doubleheader against York College (Pa.) on Saturday on Senior Day.