April 20, 2008
Christopher Newport Earns Tournament Championship With 12-3 Win

BURLINGTON, NC – After forcing extra innings, and eventually winning, the first game of the USA South Conference Championship on Sunday, the Captains of Christopher Newport University defeated the NC Wesleyan Bishops in the second championship game by a 12-3 final score.

Christopher Newport (27-9) took an early advantage in the first inning with two runs. Mike Giarrizzi led off with a single to right field, and then scored when Chris Despins rocked a home run over the left field wall, to put the score at 2-0.

The Captains added four more runs in the third inning, on a combination of five hits and a Bishop (27-13-1) error. Giarrizzi, Trae Bailey, Despins, Ryan McDougal and David Fennessey all recorded hits in the inning, to move CNU’s lead to 6-0.

Christopher Newport added six runs in the top of the eighth inning, on six hits and another Bishop error, to extend their lead to 12-0.

For the first seven innings, Kenny Moreland was on the mound for the Captains and gave up only two hits to NC Wesleyan. In the eighth, the Bishops caught up to Moreland, and picked up two runs on three hits.

Justin Rahm led off with a single through the left side, and then Moreland struck out two batters. With two outs, Luke Williford hit a single to move Rahm to third, then went to second on a wild pitch. Daniel Moore then hit a shallow single to right field, allowing both base runners to score.

In the bottom of the ninth inning for NC Wesleyan, two errors, a walk and a hit-by-pitch from CNU relief pitcher Kevin Moreland allowed a run to score. But the late rally was not enough for the Bishops, as the Captains went on to win the USA South Conference Championship by a 12-3 final score.

Despins was 3-for-5 in the outing with four RBIs. Giarrizzi went 3-for-6 with three runs scored, while Bailey and Fennessey each tallied two hits. Kenny Moreland fanned seven in the outing, 18 for the tournament, and was named the tournament MVP.

USA South Baseball All-Tournament Team
Justin Batts, NC Wesleyan, catcher
Chris Despins, Christopher Newport, first base
Travis Beausoleil, NC Wesleyan, second base
Trae Bailey, Christopher Newport, shortstop
David Fennessey, Christopher Newport, third base
Ryan McDougal, Christopher Newport, designated hitter
Tyler O’Neill, Greensboro, outfield
Daniel Moore, NC Wesleyan, outfield
Matt Smith, NC Wesleyan, outfield
Torrey Poholsky, Greensboro, pitcher
Kenny Moreland, Christopher Newport, pitcher (MVP)

Box Score