MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Christopher Newport University senior outfielder Trey Hicks became just the fourth player in program history to hit for the cycle on Tuesday afternoon, highlighting another impressive offensive performance as the Captains blew by New England College (3-2) in Myrtle Beach, 18-2. Christopher Newport improved to 7-4 overall with the win after ripping eight extra-base hits for the second consecutive game. 

Hicks wasted no time making history as he hit for the cycle in his first four plate appearances. He finished 4-for-4 with five runs scored, two RBI and posted the first cycle since 2017 when Brandon Ginch accomplished the feat. 

Prior to Ginch's cycle, only Jon Hurd in 2002 and Derek Riebel in 1997 ever hit for the cycle wearing a Christopher Newport uniform. Hicks rapped a single into center in the first inning, raced around the bases for an RBI triple in the third, launched a solo home in the fourth, and dove safely into second base to lead off the sixth inning with a double. For good measure, Hicks added a walk in the seventh and scored after all five of his plate appearances. It was the second time in his career Hicks has scored five runs in a game, tied for the second most scored in a single game in program history. 

The Captains lead 8-2 after the first three innings and would go on to score at least one run in eight of the nine frames played against the Pilgrims. Christopher Newport scored 18 runs on 16 hits, eight of which went for extra bases, while also taking advantage of six NEC miscues. On the other side of the baseball, rookie Connor Pennell (1-0) earned his first career win with a terrific start on the mound. 

Pennell allowed just two runs in seven innings of work, striking out six on the hill. He exited the game with a 15-2 lead and handed the ball off to Nathan Clements for a perfect 1-2-3 eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts. Finishing out the win, Thomas Wells struck out a pair and did not allow a hit in one shutout inning of work. 

While Hicks' historical performance highlighted the afternoon, the Captains offense was firing on all cylinders up and down the lineup. Evan Baer was 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and smashed his second three-run HR in as many games. Baer drove in three and scored four times before coming out of the game. Conner Clark (3-4) and Andrew Suppa (3-6) also added three-hit performances for the Captains. Clark scored three times and Suppa drove in a team-high four runs in the game. 

In the first inning, Clark and Jonathan Fisher got the Captains on the board without a single out being recorded with back-to-back doubles. After Eric O'Brien reached on a fielder's choice, Hicks stepped in and delivered a single off the first pitch he saw into center field. That would set up Baer's blast, a three-run shot for his team-high third round-tripper of the season. 

In the top of the third, O'Brien walked to bring up Hicks for his second AB. After staying alive thanks to a gust of wind that blew a foul pop up just out of play, Hicks snuck a hard ground ball just inside the third base bag and was off to the races. After sprinting 270 feet for his second career triple, Hicks would trot home three batters later on a single by Suppa. 

Hicks returned to the batter's box with two outs in the top of the fourth. He worked his way into a hitter's count and then pulled a high fly ball over the left center field wall for his first home run of the season. It was the 13th home run of his career. Finally, leading off the top of the sixth, Hicks went to the opposite field and, knowing he needed just a double for the cycle, raced all the way to second and dove in to complete it.

Christopher Newport will close out it's trip to Myrtle Beach on Wednesday with an 11:00 am first pitch against Johnson & Wales.