MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- For the second time in three days, the third-ranked Captains found themselves on the ropes late in the game, trailing Penn State-Harrisburg heading into the ninth inning on Thursday. But for the second time, the CNU offense sparked a come-from-behind victory, running their win streak to seven games with an 8-7 victory, improving the Captains to 12-2 overall this season.

CNU trailed 7-6 after eight innings on Thursday, with the top of the order due up in the ninth. Senior Shannon Mark led off with a walk and advanced to third on an error by the pitcher, putting Billy Steel on second with nobody out. A wild pitch would score Mark to tie the game and move Steel to third, setting up the game-winning sacrifice fly by Connor Madden. The fly ball to center was deep enough to plate Steel and give Madden his fourth RBI of the game.

Earlier in the contest, Madden hit a two-run home run and had an RBI double, finishing the day 2-4 with four RBI and a run scored. Senior Steven Lindemuth also had a pair of hits, including an RBI double in the top of the fifth, helping give CNU a 6-4 advantage halfway through the game.

The Nittany Lions would respond with two in the sixth and one in the seventh to take the lead. Rookie reliever Daniel Samick held the Captains offense at bay, pitching 3.1 innings of shutout relief, allowing just two hits before giving way to John Robison, senior closer. Robison gave up the two runs despite not allowing a hit in one inning, suffering the loss.

Junior Matt Verdillo, earlier named to the D3baseball.com National Team of the Week, pitched the final three innings of the game to earn the win. It was his second of the season, earned after allowing just one hit in the final third of the game.

Starter Jordan Boze went three innings with three strikeouts, giving up four earned runs, and rookie James Walsh also pitched three innings with three K's and one earned.

CNU's modest seven-game win streak will be put on the line against Methodist University this weekend, as they travel to Fayetteville for the conference series. Methodist was picked to finish third in the USA South Preseason Coaches Poll and has started the year 12-8 overall, 0-2 in the league. First pitch for Saturday's game is set for 1:00 pm.