SALISBURY, Md. -- The Christopher Newport University softball team opens play today in the NCAA Tournament. The Captains take on the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan at Salisbury University. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon.

The Captains, seeded #5 in the eight team regional, are 31-10 this season and making their fifth straight NCAA appearance. Keith Parr's squad received an at-large bid to the tournament. CNU advanced to the finals last year for the first time in program history.

Virginia Wesleyan, seeded #4, is 29-9 and ranked #24 in the nation. The Marlins are making their first NCAA appearance since 1989.

The Marlins beat the Captains in both games of a doubleheader this year, 4-3 and 4-2, back in March at Captains Field. Virginia Wesleyan leads the all-time series with CNU, 35-26.

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