NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Championship season has begun in the Capital Athletic Conference, and the 2017 CAC Baseball Tournament begins on Tuesday afternoon. The second-seeded Christopher Newport Captains (25-13) will host fifth-seeded Marymount University Saints (15-17) at 3:30 pm on Tuesday in the first round of the double-elimination tournament. 

Following Tuesday's first round games at the top three seeds, all six playoff teams will descend upon Salisbury, Maryland on Thursday, April 20 to the top-seeded Sea Gulls' home field at Salisbury University for the remainder of the tournament. The tourney will be played from Thursday to Saturday, with the CAC Champion being crowned on Saturday, earning the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. 

Long before the title is earned, however, the Captains will have a chance to advance in the bracket with a home game against the Saints on Tuesday. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for the action, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 pm. Links to both can be found at CNUsports.com/live. 

Ticket prices for the CAC First Round action are cash only, with prices listed at $5 for adults and $3 for children. CNU students will be admitted free of charge, courtesy of the CNU Department of Athletics.  

In the regular season series against Marymount, the Captains earned a sweep in a pair of pitcher's duels. CAC Pitcher of the Week Mike Thomas dazzled in game one, earning the win in a 2-1 victory with eight strikeouts over eight innings of work. Then, in game two, Logan Harrelson led another stout effort with a career-high 10 strikeouts in six innings of a 4-2 win for CNU. 

The Captains own a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series, as the young Marymount program is in just it's fourth year of existence. The Saints closed the conference season with five wins in their last seven CAC games to get into the tournament, including a pair of games in which Marymount scored 20 runs. 

CNU ranks fifth in the nation in home runs, sixth in hits, and seventh in runs scored. The potent offense is hitting .305 as a team, led by a strong contingent at the top. Sophomore Austin Henry is one of six regulars hitting over .300 this season, as the second year player was on fire last week. The shortstop hit .667 in CNU's three games last week, raising his average to .308 while also delivering his third home run. A.J. Nicely is hitting a team-best .378, while Craig Johnson is at .362. 

Senior Keith Roberts has reached base in all but two games this season, riding a career-best 35-game on-base streak. He has at least one hit in seven of the last eight games for CNU, 

The Saints will counter with a veteran offense led by senior Brandon Savage hitting .333 this season. Savage has seven home runs, 20 RBI, and 24 runs scored, ranking either first or second in all three categories. Lorenzo Calderon, another senior, is a dangerous threat on the basepaths, going 14-for-16 in stolen base attempts this season. Behind the plate, senior Roy Coates is hitting .275 with 20 RBI and 17 runs scored. 

Following Tuesday's matchup, the winning team will advance to face the winner of the #3 York (Pa.) vs. #4 Wesley game at 4:00 pm on Thursday. The losing team will face elimination in their second game, which will open play at 9:00 am on Thursday morning against the losing team between #1 Salisbury and #6 Mary Washington.