NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Senior Jacob Vaughan  (2-0) tossed his first career complete game and Billy Steel had two home runs to lead Christopher Newport (7-6, 2-1) past Marymount University (4-10, 0-2) in a Capital Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon. The Captains belted 23 hits in the twin bill, winning game one 7-3, and wrapping up the sweep with a 7-2 victory in the second. 

Vaughan was exceptionally efficient for the Captains in his first career complete game win. The senior right-hander used 106 pitches to get through nine innings of work, striking out four and allowing just two free passes. He scattered seven hits and three runs en route to his second victory of the season.

Steel led the offensive effort in game one, as CNU got out to an early 3-0 lead. Tommy Vitaletti reached on an infield single to lead off the game, followed by a two-base hit from Steel. After Vitaletti came up lane rounding into third base, he was replaced by rookie A.J. Nicely as a pinch runner. After Justin Weaver walked to load the bases, the Captains would score three times in the inning. First on a wild pitch, and then twice more on RBI groundouts by Kyle Corwin and Travis Younger. 

With a 3-0 lead in hand, Vaughan worked through the first two innings with no damage. In the top of the third, though, the Saints scored a pair to cut the lead to just one. Brandon Savage drove in one with a single and then Bret Phillips added an RBI groundout. 

That would be as close as Marymount could get, however, as CNU tacked on another run in the bottom half of the inning. That run would be a solo shot for Steel, his second home run of the season. The senior shortstop lofted a high-arcing blast over the left field wall. 

The Captains would add two more in the bottom of the fourth, and one in the bottom of the sixth for the final score, 7-3. CNU had ten hits in the first game, led by a 3-4 performance by Steel. Designated hitter Bryant Lowry added a two-hit effort for the Captains. 

Marymount was led by Anthony Perretti and Savage with two-hit openers, while Phillips drove in a pair. 

After a pair of seniors highlighted the first game for CNU, a couple of rookies looked for the spotlight in the second half of the doubleheader. Earning their first career starts, Nicely and designated hitter John Booker each made their case for more playing time with terrific collegiate debuts. 

Nicely, who had seen action in five games earlier this season, picked up his first career start and made it a memorable one. The rookie outfielder finished the game 5-for-5, with a pair of doubles. Hitting in the leadoff spot, he scored twice and drove in a run. Booker, making his first career collegiate appearance, was 1-2 with a walk, while also hammering his first career home run. 

Senior Nick Santalucia got the start for CNU and came away with a no decision after just four innings of work. He only allowed two hits, but was forced to work through some control issues early. He gave up one unearned run and struck out a pair, while walking four batters. 

In relief of Santalucia, junior Jordan Boze (1-2) picked up his first win of the season with three innings of effective relief. The right-hander gave up just two hits and struck out four in the middle innings for the Captains. 

CNU took a 2-1 lead in the first when Nicely led things off with a single and advanced to third on a double by Weaver. The two would come into score on an error by the third baseman and a sacrifice fly by Younger. The Captains got one more on the board in the third one a first-and-third stolen base, Weaver taking home on the throw by the catcher.

Marymount freshman pitcher Jake Brown managed to keep the damage to just three runs through the first five innings, but the Captains broke it open with three more in the bottom of the sixth. Preston Grissom led things off with a single and scored on one of Nicely's doubles. Then, on the first pitch he saw in the next at-bat, Steel crushed his second home run of the day. The two-run dinger gave CNU a 6-1 lead heading into the final three innings. 

Booker's home run came in the next inning, as CNU took a 7-1 lead before handing the ball to junior reliever Justin Garber. Garber struck out the side in order in the eighth inning and finished outt the win after allowing just one run on one hit, stranding a pair of runners in the ninth. 

The Captains defense continued to excel, turning a pair of double plays in the first game to bring their season total up to 15. In the ninth inning of game two, Steel made a sensational diving stop to his left to record an out and in 18 innings, CNU committed just two errors. 

CNU will return to action on Sunday, March 9 as they host Gallaudet at 2:00 pm. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com.