April 20, 2008
Captains Force "If Necessary" Game in Championship Series

BURLINGTON, N.C. – The top seeded Christopher Newport Captains came from behind to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth and score the game-winning run on a bases loaded hit by pitch in the 11th.

N.C. Wesleyan took control early with two runs in the top of the second inning. Ted Williams led off by reaching on a hit by pitch. He was called out on Luke Williford’s fielder’s choice but Williford went on to steal second. Doug Moore hit the single up the middle to score Williford. Moore stole second to set up the second run of the game after Matt Smith’s double to left field.

Trae Bailey started a Captains’ rally in the fourth inning with a lead off single to left. Chris Despins moved Bailey to second on a single to right and Ryan McDougal loaded the bases with a walk. The Bishops recorded the first out on a line out to center field and prevented the sacrifice fly. David Fennessey hit the two-RBI single to right field for Bailey and Despins to tie the game at two.

In the top of the sixth, Moore hit a one-out blast over the fence in left field to take the 3-2 lead for N.C. Wesleyan. The Captains tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. Fennessey singled to right and Jimmy Six entered to pinch run. Matt McDaniel followed up with a single back to right field and Six advanced to third. McDaniel moved to second on a wild pitch and pinch hitter Michael Rommett was intentionally walked to load the bases. Mike Giarrizzi hit the sacrifice fly to center field for Six to score the game-tying run. The Bishops fanned Alex Owen for the final out sending the game to extra innings.

In the bottom of the 11th inning, Thomas Drewry led off with a single to right field. Six reached on a throwing error and advanced to second allowing Drewry to move to third. Joey Martin was intentionally walked while Rommett was hit by a pitch to force the game-winning run.

Justin Diener went 8.1 innings for N.C. Wesleyan striking out five while scattering nine hits. Andrew Webb finished up for the Bishops to take the loss.

The Captains’ Brandon Berry, Chris Malvagna and Josh Brinkman combined on the mound with Brinkman picking up the win in four innings of relief.

Moore finished 2-for-5 with two RBI while Smith went 4-for-5 with a RBI.

The teams will play again in the if necessary game with an anticipated start time of 4:30 pm.

Box Score