Christopher Newport scored three runs in the top of the ninth to edge Roanoke College in the Maroons’ home opener last Thursday. The Captains took an 8-7 win at Salem Memorial Ballpark in Salem.
RC got a run in the third when Carter Plunkett delivered his third, double of the season to plate Gavin Kandrick. After CNU tied it in the top of the fifth, the Maroons stuck for a three-spot in the bottom half highlighted by a two-run triple down the right field line by Jack Carpin that would score Mason Staz and Will Smith.
In the seventh, Christopher Newport would score three unearned runs to tie the game at 4-4. However, RC would re-take the lead when Plunkett sent a ball deep into the right field corner. The defender made a diving grab, but heads up base running by Smith allowed him to score all the way from second base on the sacrifice fly.
CNU would tie it again in the top of the eight with an RBI triple. In the bottom half, Carpin walked and was replaced by Jeb Byerley to pinch run. Tyler De Meo bunted Byerley into scoring position and Cale Agee delivered the go ahead single. Agee would score on a Jack Marshall double to right and the Maroons were up two going into the final inning.
A single and pair of walks would load the bases for the Captains. A hit batter plated one run and a sac fly would tie the score. A second sacrifice fly would give CNU the lead.
Plunkett would get hit by a pitch with one out in the ninth and advance on a ground out. A wild pitch would move the runner to third, but the final out was recorded on a liner to center that was corralled on a diving play.
The Maroons, now 1-2, were back home Wednesday to host a doubleheader against Southern Virginia. On Saturday William Peace is here for a doubleheader beginning at 12:30 pm.
