LaGRANGE, Ga. -- Despite a 13th straight quality start tossed by its starting pitcher in conference play, the fifth-ranked Christopher Newport Captains lost a USA South series for the first time this year after suffering a 3-2 setback at LaGrange on Sunday.  CNU falls to 16-4-1, 12-3 in the USA South, while the Panthers even their record to 9-9 overall, 8-7 in league play. Junior Bryan Bierlein (4-1) suffered his first loss despite tossing seven strong innings.

After putting up 10 runs in game two of the series, the Captains offense looked ready to go early again on Sunday, scoring two runs in the first inning to take the lead. Three straight singles from Preston Grissom, Billy Steel and Christopher McDougal scored the first, and then a two-out single through the right side from Jacob Houston plated the second. 

After giving up four hits in the first inning, though, LaGrange senior ace Doug Sherer (4-1) settled in. The right-handed pitcher allowed just two hits, both singles, over the next seven innings to shut down the Captains offense. CNU showed some life in the ninth, as Sherer looked for a complete game, but with two runners on, the LaGrange starter finished the game with a strikeout, his ninth.

CNU starter Bryan Bierlein also gave up just one inning with runs scored, but an error in the third would prove costly as it allowed the Panthers to plate three and take the lead. After a pair of walks to start the inning, an error by the first baseman scored the first run of the inning. An infield single and a groundout would score the game-tying and go-ahead runs, and that would prove enough for the home team. 

Bierlein gave up just three hits outside of the third inning, finishing with seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched and two earned runs allowed. Senior reliever Matt Verdillo pitched the eighth inning, striking out two and walking one. 

Offensively, Preston Grissom was 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Weaver added a 2-for-4 performance for CNU. 

The Captains face a stiff test in their next outing, as they travel to regional rival and nationally-ranked Salisbury University on Tuesday, March 12 for a 2:00 pm first pitch. The Sea Gulls are ranked seventh in the nation and have opened the year with an 8-2 record.