FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- After opening his career with a relief appearance at Ferrum and a start against Piedmont, Christopher Newport rookie Connor Pennell was named the Capital Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week. The Captains' freshman tossed seven scoreless frames in the opening week. 

Pennell made his collegiate debut in the seventh and eighth innings of a win against Ferrum College. He allowed just one single and struck out a pair against the Panthers in holding a late-game lead for the Captains. It was the first win of the season for Christopher Newport as the team went on to capture an 8-2 win. 

Just five days later, Pennell took the ball of the non-conference game against Piedmont College on Friday, February 14 for his first career start. The Fairfax, Va. native struck out the first two batters he faced and went on to scatter five hits in five shutout frames of work. He left the game with a 1-0 lead after recording two more K's in the top of the fifth inning. The last batter he faced, Pennell got two strikes on the batter before battling through an 11-pitch at-bat to record his final strikeout of the game. 

Only one runner advanced past second base in his 7.0 scoreless innings of work during the week. He allowed just one walk and one hit-by-pitch in his no decision against the Lions. 

The Captains opened the season 2-2 overall and will return to the field on Tuesday, February 18 to take on Hampden-Sydney College in the first of four more games this week.