DANVILLE, Va. -- Rookie Jacob Houston snuck a bases loaded two-out single through the left side in the top of the ninth inning on Friday, scoring a pair and giving the fifth-ranked Captains their first lead of the day against Averett University (19-10, 9-7). CNU overcame a complete game gem by Cougars junior starter Cody Moore (1-2), rallying with a three-run final inning to win 3-1, getting another save from senior Ryan Fleischmann, improving to 19-6-1, 15-4 in the USA South.

Moore had the Captains' offense off-balance all day, allowing just one hit over the first eight innings of work. The Averett starter struck out nine batters in that span and had retired 15 straight Captains heading into the ninth.

CNU starter Austin Chrismon (5-2) gave up a first-inning run on an RBI double by Kevin Alvarez, but was able to match Moore for the rest of the game. CNU's starter scattered just five hits after the opening inning and struck out nine batters in the game. It was the 17th straight quality start for CNU against league competition, as he finished with 8.1 innings pitched. Still, the Cougars led 1-0 headed into the final inning with Chrismon on the hook for a  hard-luck loss.

That would be when the fireworks would start, though, for the nationally-ranked CNU squad. Sophomore catcher Tommy Kane reached on an error by the shortstop, followed by a bunt single from designated hitter Andy Viands. One batter later and the bases were loaded as sophomore Preston Grissom also reached on an error after laying down a sacrifice bunt. 

With the bases loaded and nobody out, junior leader Billy Steel lifted a 3-2 pitch into center field for a sacrifice fly, scoring Kane to tie the game. After Moore struck out Christopher McDougal for the second out, the Cougars elected to intentionally walk CNU's leading run producer Justin Weaver to load the bases for Houston. The left fielder took advantage for the Captains, driving a shot through the left side of the infield to plate Viands and Grissom for a 3-1 lead. 

In the bottom of the ninth, Chrismon came out for a chance at the complete-game win. He retired Alvarez for the first out, but gave up a double to Andrew Kirks as the Cougars looked to answer the CNU rally. Head coach John Harvell turned to his veteran closer, Fleischmann, for the final two outs. The senior right-hander tossed just five pitches, four of them strikes, getting a pair of infield pop-outs to hold onto the win. 

Fleischmann picked up save number eight on the season, giving him 26 for his career. The save moves him into the top ten all-time at NCAA Division III, tied for ninth with 26, just two shy of the top five. 

Steel led the offense despite going hitless, with an 0-1 performance. The junior shortstop laid down one sacrifice bunt, was hit by a pitch and had the game-tying sacrifice fly in the ninth. Houston was 1-for-4 with the game-winning strike. 

Jimbo Newcomb, Kirks and Moore were 2-for-4 in the loss, while the Cougars outhit CNU, 9-3. Moore suffered his second loss of the season with a complete-game, 10-strikeout performance. 

The Captains and Cougars will return to action on Saturday, with a doubleheader. The games were originally scheduled as single games for Saturday and Sunday, but concerns of inclement weather have led to the schedule change. First pitch of game one is set for 12:00 pm.