The University of Mary Washington baseball team jumped out to an early 4-0 lead on a first inning from freshman pitcher Christian Hague, but six errors spelled doom for the Eagles, as they fell to Christopher Newport University, 9-5, on Wednesday afternoon at V. Earl Dickinson Stadium. UMW falls to 11-2 overall, and 4-6 in Capital Athletic Conference play.
After Hague worked out of a jam in the first, the Eagles plated four in the bottom of the frame. Brian Burns led off with a single and stole second, moving to third on a throwing error from the catcher. Robert Cross was hit by a pitch, and Kyle Bynum walked to load the bases. Hague followed with a blast to left field to clear the bases and put the Eagles up by four.
The Captains gained the lead in the third inning, with five runs on two hits and four Eagle miscues. UMW tied the score at 5-5 in the sixth, as Ramsis Ruiz reached on an error and advanced all the way to third. Bryce Runey followed with an RBI single to tie the score.
The game remained tied until the eighth. With one out, an Eagle error was followed by a two-run home run, and the Captains added two more runs of insurance for the final 9-5 count.
Burns led the Eagle offense with three hits in five at bats, with a run scored. Hague provided the grand slam, and Stephen Johnston doubled for UMW.
Cross took the loss in relief for UMW, allowing three earned runs on four hits in three innings, with two walks and four strikeouts. Hank Biggs pitched three hitless innings in relief of Hague, who allowed two earned runs on four hits in three frames.
The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, when they host Wesley College for a noon CAC doubleheader.