NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In the first regular season release of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 poll, the Christopher Newport softball team has jumped two spots to No. 6 nationally. The Captains, ranked eighth in the preseason, opened up the year with a doubleheader sweep over Va. Wesleyan last weekend. CNU will play six games this weekend, including an appearance at the Beach Blast Tournament in Virginia Beach on Friday and Saturday.
CNU (2-0) picked up 156 points in the poll, just ten points behind Roanoke College for a top five spot. Under the direction of head coach
Keith Parr, the Captains won their opening games, 5-1 and 3-2, including a walk-off victory in the second game. The offense is expected to be led by last season's USA South Player and Rookie of the Year
Sabrina Hill and All-American senior catcher
Chelsea Mitchell. Both hit over .400 last year for CNU and ranked in the top three on the squad in runs batted in and runs scored.
In the pitching circle, CNU returns all four of its senior starters, including All-Region right-hander
Whitney Haller. Haller went 16-5 with a 1.60 ERA in 2012 and opened up the 2013 campaign with a complete game win over the Marlins, striking out four.
Krista Townsend,
Melanie Hazelwood and Elizebeth Holte round out the group, after combining to go 21-6 last season.
This weekend, the Captains will face five different teams in three games, including four in the neutral site tournament in Virginia Beach. On Friday, March 1, CNU takes on Eastern Mennonite and Allegheny, followed by a doubleheader Saturday against Randolph-Macon and Old Westbury. Then, on Sunday, March 3, the Captains will host William Peace University at 1:00 pm in a conference doubleheader.
NFCA Division III Top 25, Week 1
|
Rank |
Team |
Record |
Points |
Previous |
|
1 |
Montclair State (5) |
0-0 |
197 |
2 |
|
2 |
Luther College |
0-0 |
188 |
3 |
|
3 |
Tufts |
0-0 |
180 |
4 |
|
4 |
UT-Tyler (3) |
4-0 |
179 |
9 |
|
5 |
Roanoke |
4-0 |
166 |
6 |
|
6 |
Christopher Newport |
2-0 |
156 |
8 |
|
7 |
Illinois Wesleyan |
0-0 |
152 |
7 |
|
8 |
Eastern Connecticut |
0-0 |
128 |
10 |
|
9 |
Central College |
0-0 |
117 |
11 |
|
10 |
Pacific Lutheran |
2-2 |
114 |
1 |
|
11 |
Plattsburgh State |
0-0 |
110 |
12 |
|
12 |
Linfield |
2-2 |
107 |
5 |
|
13 |
Emory |
13-0 |
103 |
23 |
|
13 |
Trine |
0-0 |
103 |
13 |
|
15 |
Redlands |
7-1 |
101 |
20 |
|
16 |
Rowan |
0-0 |
90 |
14 |
|
17 |
Carthage |
4-0 |
85 |
16 |
|
18 |
Ohio Northern |
0-0 |
83 |
15 |
|
19 |
Moravian |
0-0 |
65 |
17 |
|
20 |
St. Thomas |
0-0 |
56 |
18 |
|
21 |
Ithaca |
0-0 |
38 |
21 |
|
22 |
Louisiana College |
2-1 |
26 |
19 |
|
23 |
Cortland State |
0-0 |
22 |
24 |
|
24 |
Salisbury |
2-0 |
14 |
NR |
|
25 |
ETBU |
4-0 |
9 |
NR |
|
25 |
Amherst |
0-0 |
9 |
25 |
Others Receiving Votes: Simpson (2)
Dropped Out: Claremont (previously No. 22)
