NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The fourth-ranked Christopher Newport University Captains (2-0) will face a tough test early in the non-conference schedule this Saturday, February 18, as they take on No. 5 SUNY Cortland at 1:00 pm. The Red Dragons open their season on Friday, at #21 Shenandoah University, before traveling to Newport News.

The Captains, led by head coach John Harvell, have opened the year with a pair of wins over Hampden-Sydney, 17-2, and Randolph-Macon, 2-1. The Captains bullpen has been dominant so far, pitching seven innings of shutout baseball in the first two games, while Richard Lindsay, Matt Verdillo and Ryan Fleischmann have pitched in both games.

Offensively, senior leadoff Shannon Mark is hitting .625 (5-8) with three runs and three runs batted in. First baseman Steven Keener is 3-6 with a pair of doubles and four runs scored, while All-American Connor Madden has driven in a team-best five runs so far this season.

Cortland State, under 13th-year head coach Joe Brown, faces a tough opening stretch against three nationally ranked teams. The Red Dragons finished 36-10 last season and are a perennial power in Division III baseball, qualifying for 19 straight NCAA Tournaments.

First pitch is set for 1:00 pm at Captains Park.