DANVILLE, Va. -- The Christopher Newport University baseball team, ranked fifth in the ABCA/Collegiate Baseball National Rankings, hits the road this weekend for a three-game series against the Averett Cougars (19-9, 9-6). The Captains (18-6-1, 14-4) currently lead the second-place Cougars in the USA South standings by 3.5 games, with just two series left against conference foes. 

Live stats and a live audio webcast will be available for all three games, with links at CNUsports.com. First pitch for game one on Friday is 3:00 pm, and both games over the weekend with start at 2:00 pm. 

Christopher Newport has taken the lead in the USA South this season primarily behind strong pitching in the weekend series. CNU has gotten 16 straight quality starts out of their pitchers in league play, led by a pair of juniors who rank number 1 and 2 in the nation in strikeouts. Austin Chrismon (4-2, 1.88 ERA) currently leads the nation with 57 K's, while teammate Bryan Bierlein (4-2, 2.30 ERA) is second, fanning 50 batters this season. Rookie Brandon Taylor (5-0, 2.13 ERA) rounds out the rotation, ranking 11th nationally in strikeouts with 41. 

CNU has paired the dominant rotation with a strong and patient offense, led by juniors Billy Steel and Justin Weaver. Steel leads the nation in runs scored (30), while second nationally in hit-by-pitch (10) and fourth in walks (16). Helping Steel score often has been Weaver, ranking third nationally in runs batted in (28), hitting .409 on the season for CNU. Sophomore Preston Grissom has added a .374 batting line with 16 stolen bases so far.

Averett is enjoying a fine season after being picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches' poll, the Cougars are currently tied for second. Jason Carter has piled up 43 hits already, hitting .413 with 20 runs scored. Veteran Jimbo Newcomb is hitting .355 and Andrew Kirks has added 14 doubles while hitting .352. Kirks has also started six games on the mound, going 1-1 with a 1.66 ERA. As a team, the Cougars have posted an impressive 2.91 ERA.