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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- The Christopher Newport University softball team, ranked 5th in the nation, opened play on Friday in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The Captains defeated the Cardinals of Catholic University, 6-1, at Virginia Wesleyan College. CNU, coming off a 20-day break since capturing the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament, showed some early signs of rust before pulling away for the regional-opening triumph.

"I think we played pretty well considering the time off," Head Coach Keith Parr said. "We had some signs of rust but were able to shake them off and get things going. It's a good start."

The Captains, now 36-6, advance to play at 11 a.m. on Saturday against the host school, Virginia Wesleyan. The Marlins, ranked 9th in the nation, defeated the College of Staten Island on Friday, 9-3.

CNU's winning streak is now at 15 games. The Captains opened the scoring with three runs in the second inning thanks to RBI singles from seniors Candice Zollars and Taylor Dillow as well as sophomore Tori Clarke. After Catholic got on the board with a run in the fourth, the Captains added a single run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to make the final 6-1. 

Freshman starter Krista Lewis earned the victory by pitching the first six innings, allowing just one run while scattering five hits. She improved her record for the year to 19-2. Lewis was the Co-Rookie of the Year in the Capital Athletic Conference. Freshman Makayla Jenkins, the likely starter on Saturday, threw a scoreless seventh inning to finish up for CNU.

"I think I threw the ball pretty well today," Lewis said. "I've been throwing a lot in practice over the last few weeks and keeping myself sharp."

Junior Sabrina Hill posted three hits in four at bats for Christopher Newport, while senior Taylor Dillow registered two hits and two runs batted in.

Catholic starter Victoria Capozucca took the loss to fall to 17-4 on the year. She allowed six runs, five earned, and gave up 13 hits to the Captains. The Cardinals are now 23-14, and will play Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against the College of Staten Island in the first elimination game in the four-team double-elimination regional.

The Captains are playing in their 12th NCAA Tournament and eighth straight. CNU is now 23-22 all-time in NCAA softball action.

The game Friday marked the first meeting with Catholic since 1999, and CNU now holds a 10-2 lead in the series.

CNU's Saturday challenge will be against a foe they are far more familiar with. The Captains have played Virginia Wesleyan 68 times with the Marlins leading the overall series, 37-31. Christopher Newport opened the 2014 season on February 23rd at VWC, and the Marlins swept the twin bill by scores of 2-0 and 5-2 in Virginia Beach. Friday's win for Virginia Wesleyan improved the Marlins to 38-5.

Saturday will mark just the second time CNU and Virginia Wesleyan have tangled in an NCAA Tournament. The Captains beat the Marlins, 8-6, in the opening round of a regional in 2011 in Salisbury, MD.