FERRUM, Va. -- With a slight adjustment to the weekend schedule, the Christopher Newport baseball team will open the season a day early, now set to play a doubleheader at Ferrum College on Friday, February 9 starting at 2:30 pm. The Captains' season opener against the Panthers was originally scheduled for a Saturday-Sunday matchup, but due to pending rain in the forecast, the games will now be played as a twin bill on Friday. 

Christopher Newport, ranked as high as 24th in the Perfect Game USA 2018 Division III Preview, will open the year against their former conference rivals on the road with live stats and live video available. Links can be found on the CNU Baseball schedule. 

CNU was picked second in the Capital Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll and Ferrum was tabbed third in the USA South preseason poll. The Captains are coming off a 25-win campaign while Ferrum was a 22-win team last season. 

Leading the way for Christopher Newport on the hill is 2017 CAC Rookie of the Year Thomas Packert, coming off a season in which he posted a 5-2 record with a 2.95 ERA. Junior closer Joe Burris had a team-best 1.11 ERA with 3 saves while also going 3-0 late in games. 

Offensively, CNU has a bevy of talent returning to the lineup in 2018, highlighted by first team All-Conference designated hitter Brandon Ginch. The senior DH ranked third on the team with a .326 average last season while delivering 30 RBI and 22 runs scored. Nicholas Baham, with a team-high 7 HR and 36 RBI, and Craig Johnson, a .363 hitter last season, are also back in the middle of the Captains' lineup. 

Ferrum lost it's two leading offensive players and top two starters from last season, but is expected to re-load as one of the top teams in the USA South. Sophomore catcher Tim Ortega hit .324 with four home runs and 23 RBI. A terror on the basepaths, Dominick Claxton is back in the outfield after stealing 22 bases while hitting .318 a year ago. 

Following the doubleheader on the road, the Captains will play their home opener on Wednesday, February 14 at 2:00 pm against N.C. Wesleyan College.