NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- The waiting is almost over for the Christopher Newport softball team. The Captains last played on April 18th when they downed Salisbury for the Capital Athletic Conference title. Now, after a 19-day break, the squad returns to Captains Park for the start of the 2015 NCAA Tournament. CNU hosts Salem College at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon.

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 11^th in the nation heading into NCAA play.

The regional begins at 1:00 p.m. as Randolph-Macon takes on Ramapo. The Roadrunners af Ramapo, Champions of the New Jersey Athletic Conference, are 28-12-1 and Old Dominion Athletic Conference Champion Randolph-Macon brings a record of 24-10 into the tournament. 

CNU will be one of 16 host sites in a 62-team bracket. The Captains are 27-7, and will be playing Salem College for the first time ever. The Spirits are 20-14-2 on the season, and Champions of the Great South Athletic Conference.

Three games are scheduled for Saturday in the double-elimination regional. Times are set for 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Sunday's Championship will begin at 12:00 p.m.
 
Tickets will be available each day at Captains Park for $5.00 general admission and $3.00 for students, children, and senior citizens. CNU students will be admitted free with valid ID.

Live video coverage as well as live stats for all games this weekend will be available at CNUsports.com/live. The official regional website can be found at http://www.cnusports.com/sports/2015/5/5/NCAARegional2015.aspx?path=softball

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.