Creef, Woodlief lead Battling Bishops to league split with CNU

Rocky Mount, NC - Junior Joel Creef (pictured) ripped a three-run game-tying double in the sixth and senior Zollie Woodlief blasted his third homerun of the season in the seventh to lead North Carolina Wesleyan's baseball squad to a come-from-behind 7-6 win over Christopher Newport on Sunday afternoon at Bauer Field. The victory secured a series split for the Bishops, who dropped an 11-5 decision to the Captains on Saturday. Wesleyan now stands at 5-10 on the season, while CNU is 8-2-1 overall. The split leaves both teams with a 1-1 mark in USA South play.

Sunday's game saw the Captains take a quick lead after two complete as Michael Romett blasted his second homer in as many games, this one a two-run laser that just cleared the fence in left. CNU extended its lead to 3-0 in the third before the Bishops could plate their first run on an RBI-single by senior Luke Willford.

Three unearned runs over the course of the fifth and sixth innings sandwiched an RBI-single by Wesleyan's Justin Batts to give the Captains a 6-2 advantage going into the bottom of the sixth. NCWC's Justin Tuck led off the frame with a double to left, and one out later, he moved to third on a single up the middle by Zach Alexander.

The next play seemed to shift all momentum in favor of the Bishops as a costly throwing error on a routine ground ball left runners at first and second with one down and the Bishops trailing 6-3. Sophomore Daniel Moore proceeded to draw a walk to load the bases, setting the stage for Creef's rocket down the left field line that cleared the bases and knotted the score at 6-6.

In his final inning of work, Wesleyan starter Ben Moore got out a one-out bases loaded jam by inducing a 4-6-3 double play to end the seventh, and with the book closed on CNU starter Jason Jenkins, reliever Chris Malvagna was promptly greeted by Woodlief's blast to left-center.

Moore earned the win by going seven innings and allowing six runs (three earned). Junior John Child picked up his first save, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings.

On Saturday, the Captains used a nine-run sixth inning to take an 11-5 decision from the Bishops at Bauer Field. Romett drove in three runs, which included a towering solo shot in the second inning. Mike Giarrizzi and Zach Huchison each had three hits for the Captains, while Justin Tuck and Creef tallied three hits apiece for the Bishops.

CNU's Josh Brinkman earned the win, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.1 innings of work. Senior Jon Lucas suffered the loss for NCWC, giving up four runs on five hits in 5.2 innings.

Sunday's win was the 999th in the history of North Carolina Wesleyan baseball. The Bishops will go for number 1,000 on Monday when they kick off a two-game set versus Piedmont College at Bauer Field.

First pitch on Monday is slated for 3:00 p.m., while Tuesday's game with the Lions is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.  The Bishops will also host Hampden-Sydney College on Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
 

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