NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Nine seniors will play in their final home regular season games on Saturday afternoon, as the Christopher Newport baseball team welcomes in Penn State Harrisburg for the Capital Athletic Conference conclusion, starting at 1:00 pm. The Captains (23-13, 13-3) take on the Lions (12-21, 7-9) as both teams are battling for playoff positioning.
Despite already having one of the top two seeds locked up and a home game in the first round of the CAC Tournament on Tuesday, CNU still has a lot to play for in the regular season finale. The Captains have a shot at the top seed in the conference championship with a sweep over the Lions and a sweep by York (Pa.) over Salisbury. Meanwhile, Penn State Harrisburg is just on the outside of the tournament looking in, and needs to pick up at least one win to have a chance at one of the six playoff spots.
In addition to the postseason implications, the games will also be the last home regular season games for nine Captains, and they will be honored in a pre-game ceremony on Saturday. The group has combined for nearly 200 innings pitched and almost 250 RBI, while winning 88 games over the last four years. It won't be the final home game ever for the nine players, as CNU is already assured a home game on Tuesday in the CAC Tournament, with opponent to be determined. That game will be played at 3:30 pm.
Before the tournament, though, CNU will look to wrap up another strong season in conference play. After winning 12 straight conference games to start the year, the Captains have dropped three of four and need to refocus heading into the postseason. The pitching staff has been a big reason for the success, led by senior
Mike Thomas (6-2, 1.80 ERA). The southpaw has struck out 55 batters in 65 innings, notching career highs in nearly every statistical category.
Out of the pen, senior right-hander
Caleb Myers features a 1.45 ERA and has 16 strikeouts in 16 appearances this season. Junior
Joe Burris leads the team with 17 appearances, a 1.29 ERA, and three saves. He has 30 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched this season, ranking among the league's elite in K/9. As a team, the Captains rank in the Top 25 nationally in ERA, boasting a 3.25 mark heading into Saturday's action.
Offensively, seniors
A.J. Nicely and
Keith Roberts are having spectacular swan song seasons, helping lead a lineup that ranks fourth nationally in hits and fifth in total home runs. Nicely is leading the team with a .391 average while Roberts leads the team in walks, with 21, and ranks second on the team in doubles, with 10.
Penn State Harrisburg comes into Saturday's twin bill with just one win over their last seven games, including losses in four straight conference games. The Lions take on Gallaudet on Friday afternoon in non-conference action before heading down to Captains Park for the doubleheader on Saturday.
One of the best power-hitting teams in the league, the Lions feature four players with four home runs or more this season, led by six each by Josh Brubaker and Bret Williams. Williams, a freshman, is also leading the team with a .350 average, 29 RBI, and 28 runs scored. The pitching staff has struggled to the tune of a 6.13 team ERA, but sophomore reliever Brendan Riotto has been excellent, with two wins, four saves, and a 2.49 ERA. The young staff includes four different pitchers to start in weekend conference games over the last several weeks.
Following the action on Saturday, seeding will be set and CNU will learn it's first round opponent for Tuesday afternoon's CAC Tournament action. Live stats and video will be available at CNUsports.com/live.
