NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Continuing it's busy start to the 2021 season, the Christopher Newport baseball team will return to action this weekend with a pair of games against Virginia Wesleyan University (0-4). The Captains (1-1) will host the home opener against the Marlins on Saturday, March 6 at 1:00 p.m. and will then return to action against the same team on Sunday, March 7 with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. again.

Christopher Newport is coming off a 3-1 setback at Hampden-Sydney College on Wednesday while Virginia Wesleyan dropped a 22-4 decision at Salisbury on the same day. The all-time series is dead even with both teams winning 29 games in a matchup that has existed since the inception of the program in 1982. The Captains have won three straight but the teams did not face eachother in 2020 due to the shortened season. 

Out of an abundance of caution due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, no spectators will be allowed to attend the games at Captains Park this weekend. Only players, coaches, and essential gameday staff will be permitted. However, the Captains will provide a live video stream and live stats at CNUsports.com. Direct links to both can be found on the schedule page.

Through the first two games, freshman Kyle Schofield leads the offense with four hits in his first six career at-bats. He's also added two walks for an on-base percentage of .750. Eric O'Brien, Ethan Weaver, and Conner Clark each have multiple hits for the Captains at the plate. 

On the mound, senior Josh Husby put together a strong outing in his first start of the season on Wednesday, taking a no decision after striking out four in 6.0 innings of work with just one run allowed. Sophomore Dylan Weber started game one and allowed just three hits in 3.0 innings of work. Freshman Danny Checkosky is the only Captain to appear in both games this season and the newcomer has three strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work. 

Virginia Wesleyan enters the weekend series with an 0-4 start after a three-game series sweep at the hands of North Carolina Wesleyan College. Offensively, Lucas Bosiger leads the Marlins with a .400 average through four games with four hits including one home run. On the hill, Ryan Mason has appeared twice without giving up a run in 1.1 innings of relief. Four different Marlins have started this season including Adam Brooks, who has also appeared out of the pen twice and has a 5.79 ERA over 4.2 innings. 

Following the weekend set against the cross-water rivals, the Captains will return to action on Tuesday, March 9 against Hampden-Sydney College at 2:00 p.m.