NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - For the third time in program history, the Christopher Newport University softball program has been selected to host NCAA regional play. CNU will be one of 16 host sites in a 62-team bracket released Monday morning by the NCAA.
 
The Captains, 27-7, will open play against Salem College at Captains Park. Salem is 20-14-2 and won the championship in the Great South Athletic Conference.
 
Ramapo (28-12-1) and Randolph-Macon (24-10) will also travel to Newport News to play in the double-elimination regional. Action will continue at Captains Park over three days with game times to be determined.  
 
It will be the ninth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament for the Captains, and the 13^th in program history. CNU is 25-24 all-time in NCAA action.
 
The Captains won both the Capital Athletic Conference regular-season title and post-season tournament championship. Keith Parr's squad has won 16 of its last 17 games, and CNU is ranked 12^th in the nation heading into NCAA play.
 
The winner of the regional will advance to a super regional next weekend at a site to be determined. The winners of the eight super regionals will then travel to Salem to play in the finals May 21-25.