NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Christopher Newport scored nine runs over the fifth and sixth innings en route to a 10-4 victory over the Washington and Lee baseball team on Thursday.
 
The Generals (6-1) scored the first four runs of the game, including three in the top of the fifth. Already holding a 1-0 advantage, W&L had runners at first and second with two down in the fifth and first-year left fielder Zach Perkins (Vienna, Va./James Madison) coming to the plate.
 
Perkins then ripped a two-run double to right center to push the Blue and White in front, 3-0. Junior shortstop Jason Volpicelli (Great Falls, Va./Paul VI Catholic) followed with a single to center to plate Perkins.
 
The Captains (5-4) answered in the bottom half of the frame with some aid from the Generals' defense. The first two CNU batters reached safely on an error and a double, and then first-year designated hitter Samuel Essex registered an RBI single to put Christopher Newport on the board, 4-1. After an RBI ground out cut the lead to 4-2, the Captains pulled to within one on a one-run single to center by junior center fielder Conner Clark.
 
CNU took a 5-4 advantage later in the inning, when two runs came home on an error with two outs. The Captains then stretched the margin to 9-4 in the sixth with a four-run rally, and added one more tally in the eighth to reach the final score, 10-4.
 
Senior righty Ben Greer (Richmond, Va./Collegiate School) suffered the loss for W&L to fall to 0-1. He allowed five runs (two earned) in 4.1 innings, giving up six hits with four strikeouts. Senior righty Teddy Herbert (2-0) earned the victory, despite surrendering four earned runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings.
 
Perkins finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBI, two doubles and a run. Sophomore designated hitter Jackson Gazin (Reisterstown, Md./Boys' Latin) went 2-for-5 with a double, two steals and a run scored.
 
Clark was one of four Captains with two hits. He also had three RBI, a double and two runs. Essex ended the contest, 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs.
 
The Generals open ODAC play on Friday, when they play at Virginia Wesleyan at 2:00 pm.