NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Behind another dominating pitching performance from junior Michael Thomas in game one, and a powerful offensive display in both games, the 11th-ranked Christopher Newport baseball team swept a non-conference doubleheader against N.C. Wesleyan College at Captains Park on Monday afternoon. Thomas retired the last 16 batters he faced, and allowed just one hit over 6 innings of work to lead CNU to a 14-0 win in game one, and Connor Henderson blasted a pair of home runs, highlighting a come-from-behind win, 10-6, in game two. 

With the two wins, the Captains improved to 21-8 overall while the Bishops fell to 22-13.

Thomas, who was named to the D3baseball.com National Team of the Week last week after a tremendous season debut, pieced together another stellar outing on Monday afternoon. The junior lefty retired the first two batters, allowed a double to right center, and then sat down 16 straight to pick up his third win of the year.  He finished out the first six innings of the 7-inning game facing just one batter more than the minimum, striking out six. 

The Captains' southpaw seemingly got better as the game progressed, striking out five of the last six batters he faced. In his final inning, he needed just 13 pitches to strikeout the final three batters in the top of the 6th. On target the entire day, he was extended to a 3-ball count only once in 19 at-bats. 

On the mound, Thomas gave way to redshirt freshman Logan Harrelson for the final inning, and the rookie worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning to preserve the shutout. 

Offensively, the Captains pounded out 14 runs on 14 hits, including five for extra bases. Senior Kyle Corwin led the way with a 3-for-4 effort including a double and 3 RBI, while A.J. Nicely and Brandon Ginch each connected on home runs in the game.

The game was opened up in the bottom of the 4th, when the Captains opened the inning with four straight infield singles. Kyle Corwin singled off the pitchers glove up the middle, followed by a slow roller by Collin Lawless to the shortstop.  With two on and no one out, Nicely rolled a perfect bunt down the first base line to load the bases, setting up an RBI single by Jordan Mason. The rookie poked another slow roller toward second base and used his speed to beat out the play for another hit. The Captains finally reached the outfield two batters later when Tommy Vitaletti drilled a single into center field to plate two more runs. After an intentional walk and an error , Corwin stepped in and delivered a bases-clearing double to punctuate a big inning. CNU wrapped up the inning with 8 runs on 6 hits and a pair of errors. 

In the 5th, Nicely led off the inning with a homer to left field, and three batters later, Ginch smashed a two-run blast to left to put the Captains up, 13-0. Ginch's fourth home run of the year was a mammoth shot to left on the first pitch of his at-bat. 

Game two looked a lot like shades of the earlier portion of the season, when the Captains came from behind for a number of early season victories. N.C. Wesleyan took a 4-0 lead after the top of the 2nd, and led by three headed into the final two innings, 6-3, but another crooked number late in the game powered the Captains to another come-from-behind victory.  

The Battling Bishops chased CNU starter Jaxn Lane in the second inning, after a pair of throwing errors by the junior lefty extended the frame. The visitors would take advantage of the extra out, scoring four runs, three unearned, to take a 4-0 lead. Brandon Wheat had a sacrifice fly and Ciro Norzagaray added a 3-run double to get N.C. Wesleyan out in front. 

The Captains closed the gap in the bottom of the inning, when Keith Roberts doubled down the left field line, followed by a 2-run home run by Henderson. CNU pulled within one, 4-3, as Corwin came around to score on a throwing error by the second baseman. In the top of the 4th, the Bishops re-took a 3-run lead on an RBI groundout by James Lovett and a high-arcing double down the line by Tony Sanchez.  

On the hill, the Captains turned to sophomore reliever Craig Johnson (2-1) in the 5th inning. He was terrific for his sixth straight relief appearance,  facing just 12 batters in three innings of work, striking out a pair. The Captains put up seven runs in the bottom of the 6th, to put Johnson in line for his second win of the year. 

The late rally started with the first batter of the inning, when Henderson blasted another home run to left center, chasing the NC Wesleyan starter from the game. Head coach Charlie Long called on senior reliever Dillon Moore (1-2), but the Captains were unphased, jumping on the veteran arm. Corwin singled into right field, and Nicely reached on an error after a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Johnson walked to load the bases, setting up a key spot for rookie outfielder Elliott Sledd. Sledd drove the first pitch of his at-bat into left field to score a run, pulling the Captains within one. Then, at the plate for another high-leverage situation, Vitaletti worked a game-tying RBI walk for the Captains, locking the score at 6-6. 

Unsatisfied with just tying the game, the Captains lineup continued to work. With two outs, Roberts delivered a single to right field, plating a pair, and Henderson stepped in with a hard-hit single to center field to score one more.  As the Captains lineup turned over, Corwin added his second hit of the inning to drive in another run, capping an impressive performance for the CNU offense that saw them take a 10-6 lead. 

Needing just three outs to close out the win, Johnson returned to the hill in the 7th. After a lead off single, Johnson got a fly out to left and struck out back-to-back hitters to secure the win. 

Henderson led the attack in game two, going 3-for-4 with 4 RBI and two runs scored. Roberts and Corwin each added 2-hit performances, as Corwin wrapped up a terrific day, going 5-for-8 with 4 RBI and 5 runs scored. Roberts extended his team-high hitting streak to 11 games. 

The Captains will return to action on Wednesday at 3:00 pm, hosting Southern Virginia University in Capital Athletic Conference action. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com/live.