NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Christopher Newport University softball team is ranked third in the country in the pre-season poll released Wednesday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The Captains are coming off a 12-1 record in an abbreviated season last spring.

Christopher Newport hopes to open the 2021 season on Saturday, February 27, with a doubleheader at Virginia Wesleyan. The Captains are scheduled to open their home schedule on Wednesday, March 3, hosting William Peace for a twin bill at Captains Park. All games scheduled are pending COVID-19 protocols.

Keith Parr's Captains won their first 12 games last year, including a victory over defending National Champion Texas Lutheran. Following a loss to Illinois Wesleyan on March 7th, the remainder of the schedule was canceled due to the pandemic.

Parr is ready to begin his 18th season leading the Captains. He has recorded a record of 560-173-1 for a winning percentage of .764. The Captains have advanced to the last 13 NCAA Tournaments played, and had won at least 30 games in 13 straight seasons prior to last year's abbreviated schedule.

East Texas Baptist, whose last loss came on May 12, 2019, and was a perfect 15-0 when the COVID-19 pandemic halted the season, starts 2021 right where it left off — as the top team in the poll. Texas Lutheran is second followed by the Captains, Virginia Wesleyan, and Salisbury in the top five.

The NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll is selected by eight NCAA Division III head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions. 

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