ST. MARY'S CITY,  Md. -- The Christopher Newport baseball team ran it's win streak to ten on Saturday, sweeping St. Mary's College of Maryland in a conference doubleheader to improve to 19-9 on the season, including 9-0 in league action. The Captains leaned on strong pitching once again, getting a complete game win out of senior Michael Thomas in game one, 4-2, and sophomore Logan Harrelson anchored a nice day from the staff in game two, as CNU went on to win 7-3. 

Christopher Newport has piled up at least 10 wins in a row for just the fifth time in program history, matching the fourth longest win streak. CNU set the standard in 2011 with 26 straight victories, while also winning 14 straight in 2002, 12 in 1991 and 10 in the 2003 season. 

The ninth win in that roll came in game one on Saturday, as Michael Thomas (5-1) finished his first complete game of the year and second of his career. The senior southpaw gave up two earned runs on seven hits, while striking out four. Thomas scattered seven hits, allowing more than one hit in an inning only once, and retiring the side in order three times. 

In support of their starter, the Captains offense got on the board first, scoring twice in the top of the third inning. Sophomore Austin Henry got things started with a single to right and a stolen base to get into scoring position. After Keith Roberts was hit by a pitch, the Captains pulled off a double steal to set up an RBI situation for leading run producer Nicholas Baham. The sophomore first baseman delivered, lofting a high fly ball to center field to sacrifice home Henry. After Roberts ripped third base with another steal, the fourth in the inning, junior designated hitter Brandon Ginch drove him in with an RBI single to right field. 

The Seahawks cut the lead in half in the next half inning, when Brandon Snow tripled in Isaiah Braxton after a lead-off double. Thomas would strand Snow at third, though, by inducing a pop-up to the second baseman and an inning-ending groundball to third. 

CNU tacked on two more in the top of the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. Jordan Mason and Keith Roberts each posted RBI singles in the inning. The Seahawks would score once more in the bottom of the fifth, but Thomas locked down the rest of the way to secure his fifth win of the year. Senior A.J. Nicely went 2-for-5 in game one, kickstarting what would end as a five-hit day for the Captains' leading hitter. 

In game two, Nicely finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored, including leading off with a single in the top of the fourth when the Captains would post a four-run inning. 

Prior to the big inning, CNU would take a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Craig Johnson and Joseph Cutchins each in a run with back-to-back RBI singles in the inning. Like in the first game, St. Mary's would cut the lead in half with a single run in the bottom of the third, when Jay Hammett doubles in a run. Logan Harrelson (4-3) escaped the inning without giving up the lead and the Captains would give him a cushion in the next half inning. 

Starting with Nicely's single, CNU put four runs on four hits in the inning to build a 6-1 advantage. Most of the damage came with two outs, as Cutchins singled to right field to score Nicely, kickstarting a run of six straight batters reaching base in the inning. Brandon Walker walked, followed by back-to-back RBI singles from Henry and Mason. With the bases loaded, Roberts would walk and Ginch was hit by a pitch to account for the final two runs of the inning. 

Later in the game, Craig Johnson would sacrifice home Nicely for CNU's final run. On the mound, Harrelson was dealing, allowing just four hits over 7.0 innings of work with just two runs allowed. He struck out four without walking a batter, en route to his fourth win of the year. In relief, Austin Slough tossed the eighth inning and senior Caleb Myers added a scoreless ninth to round out the win.

CNU stays out on the road for their next game, heading to Mary Washington on Wednesday, March 29, for the second half of the season series with the Eagles. First pitch is scheduled for 3:45 pm in Fredericksburg, Va.