WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University claimed its opening USA South Conference baseball series of the 2006 season Sunday afternoon with a 12-1 win in the rubber game of a three-game set with Christopher Newport University.

After the two teams split the Saturday doubleheader, Shenandoah (8-2, 2-1 USA South) jumped all over the Captains in the middle of Sunday's single game.

Leading 1-0 after scoring an unearned run in the third, the Hornets scored one in the fourth, two in the fifth and four more in the sixth to break open the game against CNU (4-6, 2-4).

Coach Kevin Anderson's club chased Captains starter Steven Mingee (0-2) three batters into that sixth inning as he issued free passes to Adam Duckett, Daniel Bowers and Scott Disch . Juniors Daniel Ziccardy and David Jenkins greeted reliever Chad Blanchard with a two-run double and an RBI single, respectively, and the hosts had total control of the contest.

Junior Ryan Anderson then put a cap on the frame when he plated Ziccardy with a single to center.

Even though he now had an 8-0 lead, SU starter Taylor DuFrene did not let up on the mound. DuFrene went eight innings to improve to 3-0 on the year - he gave up just one run on four hits and five strikeouts. He struck out seven, including the final batter he faced.

Sophomore Jason Byrne worked a scoreless ninth to preserve DuFrene's victory.

Jenkins and catcher Steven Todd each finished with three hits while Bowers was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Rob Quinn and Mark Genovese each had two hits for Christopher Newport.

Box Score/Play by Play 

Shenandoah is back in action Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 in a non-league game against Gettysburg College.