FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- The Christopher Newport offense exploded for 21 hits, the most since 2010, and scored 16 runs as the Captains (13-10, 7-2) blew past the University of Mary Washington (12-12, 2-6) in Capital Athletic Conference baseball action. Twelve different players had at least one hit, including all nine starters, as CNU smacked the most hits since roping 22 almost exactly four years ago. 

On April 5, 2010, the Captains had 22 hits in a win over Gallaudet University and have had two more 20-hit performances since that day. Tuesday, the Captains posted a season-high 21 knocks, led by three-hit days by Billy Steel, Justin Weaver and A.J. Nicely. 

With a 3-for-5 performance, Steel moved into the top five all-time at CNU, with 195 career hits. He was also hit by a pitch for the 47th time in his career, moving him into sole possession as the career record holder in beanballs. He also moved his career batting average up to .344, jumping into the top ten all-time at CNU. 

As the offense clicked for head coach John Harvell all day long, the pitching staff was also not to be ignored, led by senior starter Bryan Bierlein (4-2). The right-hander from Chesterfield, Va. tossed six strong innings to pick up his fourth win of the year, striking out three and allowing just four hits. He joined the 20-win club at CNU, becoming just the fourth player in program history to reach the mark. 

The senior starter gave way to three relievers who finished out the win by allowing just one run in the final three innings. Senior Jacob Vaughan tossed two no-hit innings of relief, striking out a pair. In the ninth, Scott Halsey and Kyle Goddard combined to close out the victory, each striking out one. 

CNU jumped on the Eagles with four runs in the top of the first inning, getting to UMW starter Erik Jorgensen (2-1) right out of the gates. After Steel walked with one out, Weaver smoked his first of three singles into center field. Then, back-to-back errors by the shortstop scored the Captains first two runs, followed by a two-run single by Nicely to round out the big opening frame. 

Mary Washington got one back in the bottom half, as James Keller drove in a run with a single to left. After giving up two hits in the first, though, Bierlein would allow only two more in the next five combined. Meanwhile,  the Captains would score five earned in the top of the third to take a huge 9-1 lead after two and a half innings. Nicely, Weaver and Steel each had RBI singles in the inning, with the biggest knock coming by Weaver as he plated a pair. Collin Wilber also had a run-scoring knock earlier in the inning. 

Holding onto the big lead, the Captains offense would continue to pile one, with one run in the fifth and six combined in the final three innings. Harvell cleared the benches, and several of the reserves took advantage of the playing time. Connor Henderson was 1-2 with a double and an RBI; Bryant Lowry and Preston Grissom also each added a hit off the pine for CNU. Weaver led the way for CNU, going 3-for-3 with three RBI, one run scored and a walk. 

Keller was 3-for-4 for the Eagles, marking the only multi-hit day for the home team. James Sink added an RBI in a 1-for-4 performance. 

With the win, CNU sweeps the regular season series against the Eagles, and kicks off a tough stretch of the season. Due to several makeup games, the Captains are scheduled to play seven games over the next six days, and will next take the field on Wednesday, April 2 at Southern Virginia University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm.