FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Christopher Newport University baseball team opens the season this weekend, traveling to Methodist University for three games as part of the Methodist Diamond Invitational. On Friday,  February 6, the Captains open against Lynchburg College at Noon with a link to live stats available at CNUsports.com. On Saturday at Noon, CNU takes on McMurry University followed by a game against the host Monarchs on Sunday at 3:30 pm. 

The Captains will feature a new look on the mound this year, forced to replace 34 of 40 starts from 2014 after graduating top starters Bryan Bierlein and Nick Santalucia. Seniors Kyle Goddard and Brett Mays return to the bump, as do sophomores Michael Thomas and Caleb Myers. Redshirt junior Adam Emerson is also back after missing the entire 2014 season with an injury after going 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 18 appearances as a sophomore.

Offensively, Kyle Corwin returns on the left side of the infield, making a move from third base over to shortstop. Senior Austin Kilbourne, who hit .340 in 15 games last season before an injury, and A.J. Nicely, a sophomore outfielder who hit .275 last year are also back into the fold. 

CNU finished the year 23-17 last season and reached the CAC Championship Game. On Friday, the Captains will face Lynchburg, picked fourth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll. The Hornets return All-Region catcher Rob Tomasula, who hit .393 last season, will be joined by fellow senior All-Region selections Lincoln Evans and Brandon Miller. 

Saturday, CNU will take on the War Hawks of McMurry University who have already played four games this season. McMurry is off to a 2-2 start after posting a 26-28 overall record last season. Zack Hagan, the War Hawks senior catcher, hit .304 last season and is off to a big start this year going 8-for-15 from the right side of the plate. 

Finally, on Sunday, the Captains will take on the host Monarchs, picked fourth in the USA South Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Monarchs posted a 22-16 overall record last season and are, like the two aforementioned opponents, led by a senior catcher, Chris Power. Power had seven stolen bases, 15 extra-base hits with 22 RBI and a .357 batting average in his junior year. 

Christopher Newport head coach John Harvell enters his 15th season coaching the Captains just five wins shy of 400 for his career. Following the three-game set this weekend, CNU will host its home opener on Wednesday, February 11 against Eastern Mennonite University.