NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- All nine starters finished with at least one RBI and one run scored as the eighth-ranked Christopher Newport Captains (1-0) blew past Hampden-Sydney College (0-3) in the season opener today, 16-5. Rookie catcher Bryant Lowry drove in three in his collegiate debut and scored twice. 

CNU got off to a rough start, giving up runs in both the first and second innings, but each time the Captains offense responded. After giving up two in the first, CNU responded with four runs in the bottom half; then, the Tigers re-took the early lead, 5-4, in the second, but again the Captains lineup answered with three runs of their own. 

From the third inning on, the CNU pitching staff locked in and held the Tigers to just four hits. Sophomore transfer Adam Emerson was stellar in his Captains debut, striking out seven in three innings of work. He picked up the win after allowing just one hit and one walk in 12 batters faced.

Richard Lindsay pitched a perfect sixth, followed by three clean innings by Brett Mays, Matt Verdillo and Ryan Fleischmann to hold Hampden-Sydney down. Verdillo struck out three after allowing back-to-back singles to start the eighth. 

Offensively, CNU was strong top-to-bottom. Steel and Curtis Pittman each had multi-hit games, and Paul Keyes scored a team-high three runs. 

The Captains have no time to waste this season, as conference action heats up in the opening weekend. CNU will take on Ferrum College with a doubleheader this Saturday, February 9 at 11:00 am.