NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The 2018 Capital Athletic Conference Softball Tournament will conclude this weekend at Captains Park, as eighth-ranked Christopher Newport University hosts the Sea Gulls of Salisbury University. The squads will play a best-of-three series beginning Friday at 4:00 p.m. The action will continue at noon on Saturday and then a third game would be played if necessary Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The winner of the series will advance to the NCAA Tournament with the CAC's automatic bid.

Keith Parr's Captains are 33-7 and advanced last weekend to the final series by ousting Frostburg State on Saturday. Parr is in his 15th year leading the CNU squad, and earlier this year recorded his 500th career victory. Salisbury is guided by 22nd-year Head Coach Margie Knight, and the Sea Gulls are 27-11 following their victory last Saturday over York to advance. Knight went over the 800-win mark for her career last weekend. CNU leads the all-time series with the Gulls, 38-36, with two ties. The Captains defeated SU twice earlier this season at Captains Park by scores of 8-0 in five innings and 5-3.

Christopher Newport has been led by the National Player of the Week the last two weeks. Senior shortstop Rachael Payne received the honor last week after going 15-for-20 at the plate. This week, senior centerfielder Leah Andrews was tabbed after posting a six-for-12 effort with three home runs, nine runs scored, and 12 runs batted in last weekend. Both Payne and Andrews were also chosen as the CAC's Player of the Week the last two weeks.

In the pitching circle, sophomores Aubrey Bates and Laura Kate Moss have been dominant. Bates was the CAC's Pitcher of the Week for three straight weeks before Moss took the honor this week. Moss led the Captains with a two-hit shutout performance last Saturday in the deciding triumph over Frostburg State.

Tickets will be available at the gates of Captains Park Friday and Saturday for the exciting series. Adult tickets will be $5.00 while seniors, students, and children will be admitted for $3.00. CNU students with valid ID will be admitted free. Each game will be streamed live on CNUsports.com/live and live stats will also be available.

The 2018 NCAA Division III Softball Championship will begin next week, and the bracket is scheduled to be released on Monday at 1:00 p.m.