NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- A late rally by the Eagles doomed the Captains on Wednesday afternoon, as the University of Mary Washington (19-9, 3-7) scored seven runs in the final two innings to come from behind for a 12-8 win.  Christopher Newport (19-6, 7-3) scored eight runs on 14 hits, led by rookie Jordan Mason with a career-high four-hit effort. 

Two home runs highlighted the comeback for the visitors, including a go-ahead three-run blast by catcher James Keller in the bottom of the 8th. Thomas Weaver added a two-run shot in the 9th to extend the lead. 

Christopher Newport starter Blake Ream exited the game in line for the win, as the Captains carried a 6-5 lead into the final three innings. Ream labored through the first six, striking out four while allowing four earned runs on nine hits. The senior right-hander retired the side in order in the top of the 5th on just eight pitches. He followed that up by getting the first two batters of the 6th, including his fourth strikeout of the day. 

The Captains took the lead early with single runs in the first and second innings. Mason led off the inning with a single to right center, advancing to second on an error. After moving up on a sacrifice bunt, he would score as senior Tommy Vitaletti added to his team-high RBI total with a ground out to shortstop. In the second, Keith Roberts got things started with a single up the middle, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Senior Kyle Corwin delivered in the run-scoring chance, singling through the right side of the infield. 

The Eagles answered with two in the top of the 3rd to tie the game on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single. Brian Burns started the inning with the first of five hits in the game. Mary Washington would then take the lead in the top of the 4th when Burns doubled in a run, but Ream escaped without further damage thanks to an inning-ending double play. 

After two scoreless half-innings, the Captains re-took the lead in the bottom of the 5th. Taking advantage of back-to-back errors to lead off the inning, Mason placed a picture-perfect bunt to the right side of the mound, reaching on an RBI base-hit bunt to tie the game. Then, after another sacrifice bunt, Vitaletti pounded a double left field to score two more runs and get CNU back in front, 5-3. 

The Eagles responded with two in the 6th to tie the game, but CNU teetered back in front with a single run in the bottom half of the inning. It was again Mason stepping up with a big hit, hammering a single into center field to plate Brandon Walker for the go-ahead run. Walker had reached on an infield single and moved up on a single by Austin Henry. 

With a 6-5 advantage heading into the final frames, the Captains went to Caleb Myers and Adam Emerson in the bullpen. Myers got through a scoreless 7th and returned for the 8th, but a double and a single to start the frame brought on the CNU closer.  Emerson picked off Thomas Weaver at first, but with the infield drawn in, Burns delivered another key hit for the visitors, driving in a run with a ground ball through the left side. Two batters later, Keller delivered the eventual game-winning blow. 

CNU would get two back in the bottom of the 8th, but left the bases loaded with the tying run just 90 feet away. Mason doubled to right center for the first RBI and Brandon Ginch worked a bases loaded walk for the other. In the 9th inning, Mary Washington scored on a passed ball and then got the two-run homer from Weaver for the final score, 12-8. Ryan Van Assche came in for the bottom of the 9th and retired the side after facing just four batters. 

Nick McIntyre (4-3) picked up the win in relief, allowing just one run in three innings of work. Emerson (1-2) suffered the loss for the Captains. 

Mason's career-high four hits led the way for CNU, while Roberts added a 3-5 effort and three more Captains registered two-hit performances. Vitaletti joined Mason with a team-high 3 RBI. 

Christopher Newport will return to action this Saturday, April 2 at No. 22 Frostburg State for a CAC doubleheader scheduled to begin at Noon. With poor weather forecasted for the area, stay tuned to CNUsports.com for updates, or follow @CNUathletics on Twitter.