NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- The Christopher Newport University softball team moved up another notch on Wednesday when the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released its weekly rankings. CNU, 35-6 overall and riding a 14-game winning streak, is ranked fifth this week in the nation after being tied for sixth in the country last week.

Keith Parr's squad is preparing for NCAA action beginning this Friday. CNU, Champions of the Capital Athletic Conference, will play Catholic on Friday at 1 p.m. on the Virginia Wesleyan campus in Virginia Beach. The Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan, ranked ninth in the country this week with a 37-5 mark, will play Staten Island at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. The double-elimination regional will continue in Virginia Beach through Sunday.

Saturday's action will begin at 11 a.m. with three games scheduled. Sunday's Championship will begin at 12 noon.

Ticket prices for the weekend: Adults -- $10 per day, $20 for the entire tournament...Students with ID, non-college students, children 3-12, seniors 60+ -- $5 per day, $10 for the entire tournament...Children under 3 years admitted free.

Christopher Newport will be appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth straight season. It will be the 12th NCAA trip all-time for the Captains.

CNU and Catholic have not met since the 1999 season, and the Captains lead the all-time series with the Cardinals, 9-2. Catholic won its first Landmark Conference title this season to advance to the NCAA Tournament.

The Captains have not seen action since April 19th when they captured the CAC crown with a 3-2 triumph over Salisbury. CNU defeated the Sea Gulls on back to back days to end Salisbury's run of 17 straight league titles. Senior Taylor Dillow delivered a dramatic game-winning home run to clinch the title. The two-run shot in the eighth inning came as a pinch hitter and gave the Captains their first CAC title in CNU's initial season as a league member.

Freshman pitcher Makayla Jenkins, who is now fifth in the country with a 0.56 ERA, posted both wins against Salisbury in the tournament and handed the Gulls all three of their losses this season.

Virginia Wesleyan advanced to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship for the third time in the last four years. The Marlins beat the Captains twice in a season-opening doubleheader on February 23rd by scores of 2-0 and 5-2. VWC, now 37-5 overall, leads the all-time series with the Captains, 37-31. 

The College of Staten Island team punched its ticket to the tournament this weekend by winning the CUNYAC Championship. The Captains have never played the Dolphins, who are now 23-15.