FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Playing in the finale of the 2018 Armstrong/Diamond Methodist Invitational against the host Monarchs, the Christopher Newport baseball team suffered a 4-1 setback on Sunday afternoon. The Captains fall to 4-2 on the season after the loss while Methodist improves to 5-1 overall. 

CNU scored the first run of the game when they loaded the bases in the top of the first inning. With two outs, Craig Johnson walked and stole second, followed by a Seth Woodard base-on-balls to put two on for Nicholas Baham. The junior first baseman struck out, but the first of two wild pitches in the inning allowed him to extend the inning by sprinting over to first. With the extra life, Johnson would score the Captains only run of the game on the second wild pitch. 

Junior Ryan Powell (2-1) started for the Captains and worked three innings with just one earned run allowed. He worked himself out of jams in each of the first three innings with just two runs on the board. He gave way to rookie reliever Josh Husby, making his collegiate debut. Husby tossed three innings with three hits, two runs, and two strikeouts. 

Rounding out the Captains pitching performance was junior Logan Aylor, who scattered four hits in two innings of relief with one strikeout. He held the Monarchs scoreless in the final two frames. 

Trailing by three in the top of the 9th, the Captains attempted to stage a comeback, getting back-to-back singles from Jordan Mason and Austin Henry to lead off the final inning. Methodist called on closer Kevin Williams and he escaped with the save after retiring the next three batters for CNU to secure the win. 

CNU was led by Mason, going 2-for-4, as the Captains mustered just six hits in the contest. Mason also reached on a walk to get on base out of the leadoff spot three times in five plate appearances. Woodard was 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and a double as he capped a strong overall week while manning the hot corner. In four games this week, Woodard was 4-for-13 (.308) with 4 RBI, 2 runs scored, 7 walks and a pair of doubles. 

The Captains return to Newport News for six straight games in the next two weeks, starting with a matchup against Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday, February 21 at 2:00 pm. Live stats and video will be available at CNUsports.com/live.