RICHMOND, Va. - Freshman David Shambley’s single through the right side in the top of the eighth inning plated the eventual game-winning run as UNC Wilmington edged Virginia Commonwealth, 3-2, in Colonial Athletic Association baseball action at The Diamond.

The Seahawks, who tied Kentucky and Arizona State for the longest winning streak in the nation this season, improved to 20-4 on the season and 11-0 in the circuit with their 19th consecutive win. The Rams dropped their sixth straight and stand at 5-18 and 0-7.

Freshman reliever Cameron Roth won his second game of the week to run his record to 3-0 and fellow rookie Stephen Harrold earned his third straight save. Junior started Brad Holt didn’t figure in the decision, but fanned seven and allowed two runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Freshman Jesse Reid (1-1) was saddled with the loss for the Rams. VCU starter Ian Thomas held the Seahawks in check during his 6 1/3 innings of work. Thomas scattered nine hits and allowed two runs while striking out five.

Seniors Jason Appel, who tied his career-long hitting streak of 12 games, and Daniel Hargrave and sophomore Mike Rooney led UNCW, who stranded 13 runners on base, with two hits a piece.

Senior Nate Hall, who drove in two of UNCW’s three runs, lifted a sacrifice fly to center in the first to give the Seahawks an early 1-0 lead.

Hall later doubled off the center field wall in the fifth to score Appel, who reached on a bunt single with one out.

The Rams broke through in the sixth against Holt with a run to narrow their deficit to 2-1. Sophomore Matt Leskiw drew a lead off walk and advanced to third on sophomore Richard Gonzalez’s single to right. Junior Jared Bolden lined a sacrifice fly to center that brought in Leskiw.

Freshman Eric Curtis drew the Rams even with a RBI single in the seventh off Holt. Jared Wright lined a single to center leading off the inning and moved into scoring position following a sacrifice bunt. Curtis’ single knocked Holt out of the game and Roth came on in relief. After a walk to senior pinch hitter Kwan Evans, Leskiw hit into a check-swing, soft line drive double play back to the mound where Roth was able to catch Curtis off second base for the final out.

In the eighth for the Seahawks, senior Jes Snyder ignited the inning with a 1-out single to left. Rooney moved pinch runner Matt Holt to second after being hit by a pitch by Reid setting the scene for Shambley, whose older brother Will plays on the UNCW golf team, and his game-winning hit.

VCU loaded the bases in the ninth, but Harrold induced Gonzalez into a fly ball to center to close out the game.

The series concludes on Sunday with first pitch set for 1 p.m.

Notes: UNCW’s best start to season is 21-4 (1995) … In the CAA it is 13-0 (1989) … Jason Appel had his streak of consecutive hits halted at seven with a ground out in the third inning … Appel needs one more hit to become the 13th Seahawk with 200 career hits … Holt lowered his ERA to 3.00 and opponents are hitting just .223 against him … Roth has not allowed an earned run over 13 appearances, covering 22 innings … Harrold, meanwhile, has allowed just one run, unearned, in his last 10 innings. -Courtesy UNCW Sports Information