FERRUM, Va. -- With a pair of games scheduled this weekend at Ferrum College, the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport baseball team will kick off the 20th season under head coach John Harvell. The Captains are ranked 25th in the D3baseball.com Top 25 and No. 32 in the ABCA Preseason National Rankings heading into the matchup against the Panthers, which will feature first pitch at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. and Sunday. 

Entering his 20th season at the helm for Christopher Newport baseball, Harvell is the dean of Captains head coaches and eclipsed 500 career wins during last season's record-breaking season. With 10 all-conference selections and six first team All-CAC performers last season, Harvell collected his fifth career Conference Coach of the Year distinction while leading the Captains to the program's first Capital Athletic Conference championship. 

This year, Harvell will look to rebuild an offense that saw six starters graduate from a roster that scored over 500 runs last season. Returning to lead the way are veterans Trey Hicks, Conner Clark, and Eric O'Brien after playing a big role in the historic offense in 2019. Hicks has been named a pre-season All-American by D3baseball.com and returns to the lineup after hitting 12 home runs last season. Clark ranks second among active non-seniors in stolen bases in Division III and is one of the most dangerous threats on the basepaths in program history. O'Brien hit over .375 while splitting the duties behind the plate last season. 

On the mound, Christopher Newport returns a dangerous bullpen highlighted by veterans Brian Owens and Tyler Jumper. Owens owns a 6-2 career record in 60 appearances with a 2.91 ERA while striking out 126 batters in 92.2 innings of work. His 12.2 K/9 ratio is among the best in program history and the lefty reliever has also picked up four saves in his career. Jumper had a breakout junior season and earned first team All-Conference honors after going 7-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 47.1 IP in his third year. He struck out 47 and walked just 10 batters during the season. 

Leading the rotation is junior Josh Husby heading into his third year with a 14-3 record and 4.00 career ERA in 123.2 innings of work. He has started 22 of his 25 career games played at Christopher Newport and has held opponents to a .242 batting average against. Senior Teddy Herbert also had a strong junior campaign with 13 starts, striking out 56 batters in 55.2 innings of work. He won five games for the Captains in his first year in the rotation. 

Ferrum enters the matchup this weekend leading the all-time series against the Captains with a 43-41 record in one of the longest standing rivalries in program history. Christopher Newport has only played N.C. Wesleyan and Methodist more times and has more wins against the Panthers than any other team. Last season, Christopher Newport swept the season-opening series against Ferrum to extend a win streak against the Panthers to five games. 

Senior Tim Ortega, an All-Region selection last season, will lead the Panthers heading into 2020. He hit .396 with 7 home runs and 43 RBI while playing catcher for Ferrum as a junior. Also returning to the lineup is senior Kyle Anstice, who hit .356 with a team-high 8 home runs and 26 RBI. 

Live stats will be available for both games with a live video webcast featured for Sunday's first pitch at 1:00 pm. The Captains will open the home portion of their schedule following the weekend's set with a Friday afternoon matchup against Piedmont College on February 14 at 2:00 p.m.