NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- It's been a fantastic start for the 2016 CNU softball squad. The Captains are 10-0 to start the season and ranked third this week in the national poll from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

Friday, Keith Parr's Captains travel to Columbus, Georgia, to begin play in the NFCA Classic, a weekend tournament that features many of the top teams in the nation. CNU will play Fontbonne at 12:00 p.m., and then return to action for a game against Linfield Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The Captains will open play on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against Augustana.

"This will be a great test for us," Parr said. "We'll be seeing many teams that have had plenty of post-season experience. We feel we're on a level with the very best in Division III, and we'll need to play well in Georgia this weekend to prove it."

Eight of CNU's ten wins have come at Captains Park so far this season. Christopher Newport's only road action this season came at Lynchburg, a doubleheader sweep for CNU.

The Captains are coming off a sweep at home on Sunday over Shenandoah. CNU's offense is averaging 9.4 runs per game this season through the first ten victories.

Senior outfielder Scoop Simon, who leads the squad with three home runs, 13 RBI, and a .480 batting average, was named the Capital Athletic Conference's Player of the Week this week.