NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In a matchup of two of the Commonwealth's top softball teams, the nationally-ranked Captains are back in action on Thursday afternoon as they play host to the Lynchburg Hornets at 2:30 pm. Both teams reached the NCAA Tournament last season after 30-win campaigns and both are off to hot starts this season, with just two losses between them. 

The Captains are 9-1 to start the year while Lynchburg has opened the season with a 13-1 overall record. CNU has moved back up to No. 8 nationally, while Lynchburg is the first team in the receiving votes category of the most recent NFCA Division III Top 25. The Hornets are coming off a sweep at nationally-ranked Salisbury, running their win streak to six games, while Christopher Newport went 6-0 last week with sweeps against N.C. Wesleyan, Meredith, and Shenandoah. 

The all-time series between the Captains and Hornets favors CNU, 37-18, and Thursday's matchup marks the first time the teams have played since the 2016 season. 

For fans who are unable to get to Captains Park for the doubleheader on Thursday, live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com.

CNU will return to action led by junior Grace Wild, the reigning CAC Player of the Week, who is hitting .607 this season through the first 10 games. The Captains' second baseman has scored 15 times and is 5-for-5 in stolen base while leading the team in slugging with an .893 mark. Sophomore Patty Maye Ohanian is also off to a strong start, hitting .500 with a team-best 13 RBI. Christopher Newport is hitting .374 as a team while outscoring opponents by a tally of 73-16. 

In the circle, junior Aubrey Bates has a 4-1 record with a 1.50 ERA, while Emily Weatherholtz is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA. Bates is holding opponents to a .204 batting average against, while striking out 26 batters in 28.0 innings of work.

The University of Lynchburg features national player of the year candidate Taylor Mabry after a second team All-American campaign during her junior season. After hitting 10 home runs last season, Mabry already has five through the first 14 games, while also smacking five doubles with a .463 average to lead the Hornets offense. Senior Mackenzie Chitwood is leading the squad with 19 RBI while hitting .405. Three pitchers have logged 24 or more innings pitched so far, led by sophomore Kayley Cox with a 3-0 record, 1.09 ERA and 26 K in 32 IP. 

Following Thursday's doubleheader, the Captains will return to action on Saturday against Penn State Behrend before hosting Roanoke College on Sunday.