ATLANTA, Ga. -- Head coach Keith Parr and the 2012 Christopher Newport University softball team takes the field for the first time this weekend, traveling to Emory University for a pair of doubleheaders. CNU, the 2011 NCAA National Runner-Ups, are ranked third in the country to start the season and will take on seventh ranked Emory University and Maryville College (Tenn.) this weekend.

The Captains will face the Eagles at Noon on Saturday, followed by a 2 pm game against the Scots. On Sunday, CNU will play in the early game, a 9:45 tilt against Emory, followed immediately with an 11:45 am game vs. Maryville.

The full schedule is listed below; live stats and live video will be available at first pitch of each game.

Saturday, Feb. 11
10:00 a.m. – Emory vs. Maryville
12:00 p.m. – Emory vs. Christopher Newport
2:00 p.m. – Maryville vs. Christopher Newport

Sunday, Feb. 12
9:45 a.m. – Emory vs. Christopher Newport
11:45 a.m. – Christopher Newport vs. Maryville
1:45 p.m. – Maryville vs. Emory

Christopher Newport returns its entire pitching staff from a year ago, led by junior Whitney Haller after a 20-5 overall record and a 2.22 ERA. Krista Townsend and Liz Holte also return to the pitching circle, combining for an 18-7 record and a 2.22 ERA. Offensively, senior second baseman Jennifer Falin will lead the way for the returners. Falin hit .338 in 2011 with 14 home runs, second on the squad. CNU graduated All-American Jessie Atkinson along with All-Conference outfielder Ashley Mani and first baseman Lauren Rowley, but returns five hitters that hit over .300 last season.

Emory, a perennial power, will be led by senior All-American Bridget Holloway, after an 18-1, 1.46 ERA season last year. Jessica Thomas, a second-team All-American, will lead the offense after a team-best 11 home runs in 43 starts last year. It took 13 innings for the Captains to drop Emory in the NCAA Regional round last season.

Maryville was 14-20 overall last year, and the Scots return two of their top three hitters from last season. Senior Leah Kelley hit .522 with seven homers and 37 RBI last year, and classmate Chastity Smith added a .375 performance with five dingers.

Live stats and a live video stream will be available with links at CNUsports.com.