Christopher Newport University 6, Eastern Connecticut University 5 (Game#13)

Box Score/Play-By-Play

Tom Koch Eastern Connecticut State University John Kubachka Eastern Connecticut State University Chris Phaup Christopher Newport University Ted Tignor Christopher Newport University

Three times in the last three innings, Christopher Newport University found itself trailing with two outs, and three times, they found a way out of the jam.

Shortstop Tim Tignor doubled to the warning track in left center field to drive in the winning run as CNU defeated Eastern Connecticut State University, 6-5 in an NCAA Division III Championship Series game at Fox Cities Stadium Monday night. Tignor's heroics complemented a 2-for-5 night by third baseman Chris Phaup, who belted solo home runs to left field in the fourth and sixth innings.

"This is what you work for all year," CNU head coach John Harvell said. "This game was typical of what we have done this season, work and fight our way back."

The Captains scored in each of the final three innings to erase a 5-3 deficit, but had more than ample opportunity to settle the game before the ninth.

The seventh inning started when ECSU reliever Jason Brown walked centerfielder Chris Glidewell on four straight pitches. Second baseman Adam Larson followed with a sacrifice bunt that retired Glidewell at second. After Larson was thrown out on a similar play by leadoff man Jeremy Elliot, T.J. Jones singled to left, driving in Elliot, to make the score 5-4. Jones' shot closed the book on Warriors' starter David Meeker. Meeker pitched 5.1 innings, and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out four. Tim Fagan replaced him.

The right-hander loaded the bases by walking right-fielder Matt Turner before getting Phaup to pop up to shortstop to end the inning.

ECSU failed to utilize its chances in the top of the eighth, putting two on with a pair of outs. After doubling to left field, designated hitter Morgan Thompson was thrown out at the plate when he tried to score from second on Dwight Wildman's base hit to right to end the inning with a man stranded. CNU again rallied with two outs when a pitch from new ECSU hurler Thomas Spirito to load the bases hit Larson. Spirito followed that act by drilling Elliot in the rear to drive in the tying run, 5-5.

With the bases still loaded, Jones lined a shot right at Phaup to end the inning and head to the ninth, setting the stage for Tignor.

Rob Dye got the win for the Captains, improving to 11-4. Spirito took the loss for ECSU, picking up two runs, both earned, in two innings of work.

Left fielder John Hedde continued to produce in the tournament, with a 2-for-4 day that included a run scored and two runs batted in. First baseman John Kubachka homered in the first inning and knocked in a pair of runs.

Christopher Newport (38-11-1) will face Marietta College at 1 p.m. (CDT) Tuesday, with the loser finishing third in this year's championship series. Should the Captains win that contest, they will again face ECSU, which dropped to 38-15, in the national championship game at 4:30 p.m. (CDT).

Written By Andrew Wagner
Photos By Lehigh Photo