FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Christopher Newport University softball team will take the field for the first time this season on Friday morning and will kick off the season with a bang, against third-ranked Louisiana College at 10 am. The Captains will also face Eastern Mennonite at 4:00 pm in the neutral site Early Bird Tournament hosted by Methodist University.

CNU is coming off the finest season in program history, going 42-10 with an NCAA College World Series appearance and Regional Championship. The Captains return all-time home run leader Jessie Atkinson with senior outfielder Ashley Mani, while sophomore Chelsea Mitchell will also help anchor the offense for CNU. On the hill, Christopher Newport lost USA South Pitcher of the Year Kristen Rowe, but will return Elizabeth Holte who finished with a 15-3 mark last season.

The Captains will face the perennial power Wildcats at 10:00 am in Fayetteville, in both teams' season opener. Louisiana went 44-8 last season and returns senior ace Rene Schwartzenberg, a two-time All-American with a 57-4 career mark.

In the second game Friday, the Captains will face Eastern Mennonite, the 2010 ODAC Champions. The Royals were 19-18 and earned their first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament last season.