ARLINGTON, Va. -- Behind a pair of impressive pitching performances, the Christopher Newport baseball team earned a doubleheader sweep at Marymount University on Sunday in Capital Athletic Conference action.  The Captains improved to 12-9 overall, 3-0 in conference play after winning game one, 2-1, and game two, 4-2. 

Both of the CNU starting pitchers put together strong showings against the Saints, who fall to 6-9, 0-2 on the year. In the first game, senior Michael Thomas whirled his fifth consecutive superb start, improving to 3-1 after the win. Thomas tossed 8.0 innings and struck out eight,  while giving up just one run. He allowed only five hits, including three in the fifth inning when Marymount struck for their only run of the game.

He was facing Marymount's ace, Collin Bazemore (3-1), who was also solid in the start for the Saints.  Bazemore struck out 11 in 6.1 innings of work, but CNU managed one in the third and the go-ahead run in the seventh. 

In the third inning, Jordan Mason drilled a one-out double and raced home two batters later when Nicholas Baham singled up the middle to put CNU on the board first. The game-winning run would come around in the seventh, when Austin Henry singled to lead off the frame, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved up to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mason. Keith Roberts slammed a ground ball up the middle for an RBI single to chase home Henry for the go-ahead run.  

After Thomas finished out the eighth by stranding a runner at third, the Captains called on sophomore Thomas Packert for the save in the ninth inning. Packert gave up a lead-off single, but then worked swiftly through the inning with a pair of groundouts sandwiching a strikeout. Packert picked up his first career save, and lowered his season ERA to 0.92 in seven appearances. 

In the second game, CNU saw Logan Harrelson (2-3) put together a career-best performance against the Saints. He struck out a career-high 10 batters in 6.0 innings of work, while giving up just two runs. In relief, sophomore Austin Slough was sensational, striking out four in 2.2 innings of work. Junior Joe Burris came in for the one-out save to finish out another tight victory, 4-2.  

Offensively, the Captains got moving a bit earlier in the second game, putting two on the board in the top of the first. Roberts singled with one out and designated hitter Brandon Ginch came to the plate two batters later with two down. Ginch went to the opposite field for a two-run home run to get CNU out in front early, 2-0. 

Marymount would draw even in the third, when Kaden Darrow delivered a two-run double, but Harrelson struck out Michael Wade to end the threat without any further damage. CNU responded in the next half inning, with three straight singles to add a third run to the scoreboard. With one out, it was Austin Henry, Mason, and Roberts who pounded out the hits, with Roberts picking up his second RBI knock of the day.  

Leading off the top of the fifth, CNU junior outfielder Craig Johnson smashed a solo home run to add an insurance tally, putting the Captains up, 4-2. With a two-run lead, the bullpen, led by Slough, made sure the advantage held up as CNU improved to 3-0 in league play.  

Roberts led the offense with a 4-for-7 performance in the doubleheader, picking up 2 RBI, 1 run, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. In total, he reached base in six of his nine plate appearances. Ginch was 4-for-8 with the home run highlighting a strong day overall. 

The Captains are back in action on Tuesday, March 14, as they travel to Eastern Mennonite University for non-conference action starting at 3:00 pm. Then, on Wednesday, March 15, CNU will return to Captains Park to host Mary Washington in CAC action at 3:00 pm. This game time was adjusted on Sunday from the originally scheduled 3:45 pm.