NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Junior Billy Steel blasted a two-run home run in the first inning and senior Ryan Fleischmann picked up career save number 25, moving into a tie for 12th all-time in NCAA Division III history, as Christopher Newport (17-5-1, 13-3) held off a late rally by Piedmont College (11-10, 8-5) on Friday afternoon, winning 8-4. Fleischmann picked up his seventh save of the season with his second career two-inning save. 

Steel got the Captains offense rolling early in the game  with his second big blast of the year. Travis Younger led off with a hit-by-pitch, and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Preston Grissom. Then, Steel stepped in and blasted a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall to stake junior starter Austin Chrismon (4-2) to a 2-0 lead. 

In the second, Steel picked up his third RBI of the game when, with the bases loaded, he was hit by a pitch to give CNU a 3-0 lead. The Captains would add another three-run inning in the third, opening up a big 6-0 advantage. Justin Weaver led off with a single, and came around to score on an RBI single by Tommy Kane. Then, after a Scott Halsey single, Younger smoked a double down the left field line to plate both runners. 

That would be plenty for Chrismon, who had another strong outing for the dominant Captains pitching staff. Chrismon tossed seven innings and scattered five hits with four strikeouts. It was the 14th straight quality start for a CNU pitcher against USA South opponents this season, as Chrismon picked up win number four in his sixth start of the year. 

In the eighth, CNU called on reliever Matt Verdillo, but the senior lefty was unable to get an out as he walked the bases loaded. Head coach John Harvell would then turn to Fleischmann, for his second career two-inning save opportunity. He would strike out the side in the eighth, but not before allowing two runs to score, dropping the lead to just 6-4 headed into the bottom of the eighth.

The Captains offense would respond with two runs in the bottom half to give Fleischmann a bigger cushion. With two outs, Piedmont walked the bases loaded, setting up a big two-out, two-run double by Weaver. 

In the ninth, Fleischmann got Tate Koons to line out for the first out, struck out Casey Parham, and picked up a groundout for the final out and his 25th career save. The Captains' all-time leader in saves is now tied with Mark Miller (Wooster) and Matt Streicher (Denison) for 12th all-time in NCAA Division III history. 

Offensively, Steel led the way with a 2-for-2 day, driving in three and scoring twice. The top third of the order, including Steel, went 6-for-9 with five RBI and four runs scored. Weaver added a 3-for-5 performance with two RBI and one run scored as the Captains offense outhit Piedmont, 12-6. 

Saturday's second game of the series is scheduled for 1:00 pm. Impending inclement weather may force a schedule adjustment, so fans should stay tuned to CNUsports.com for details.