NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport baseball team will be back in action on Wednesday, April 13 as they play host to Southern Virginia University (7-14) at Captains Park with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The Captains slipped to No. 22 in the most recent Collegiate Baseball ABCA Top 25 after a 1-2 week on the diamond last week. 

Despite the recent results, the Christopher Newport baseball team continues to showcase one of the nation's top pitching staffs and have logged a 19-8 overall record so far this season. The Captains rank second nationally in strikeouts per nine innings with a 12.5 mark and also rank in the top-20 nationally in ERA and K/BB ratio. 

Christopher Newport and Southern Virginia have faced 22 times prior to Wednesday's head-to-head battle, with the Captains winning 21 times. CNU has won 11 straight against the Knights and are 10-1 at Captains Park against their former conference foes. 

Admission to the contest is free and a live video webcast with live stats will be available for fans who can not attend the game in person. 

CNU is led by Daniel Elliott, hitting .410 in the middle of the Captains' lineup while also serving as the top bullpen arm in 13 appearances this year. The sophomore ranks first nationally in K/BB ratio (48 SO, 2 BB) and boasts a 0.90 ERA with 5 saves and two wins on the year.

Offensively, the team is hitting .287 with five regulars over .300 on the season. Junior catcher Drew Caroline has recorded a hit in three of the last four games including a 3-for-5 showing against Eastern Mennonite while Michael Martorano is hitting .333 (9-27) over his last eight games with 7 RBI, 2 HR, and 8 runs scored. 

Southern Virginia has been led this season by junior utility player Will Parker, hitting .438 with 15 runs scored in the first 21 games. He has a team-high 11 RBI with eight extra-base hits. On the mound, he has started six games with a 5.09 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 23.0 innings pitched. Senior Zach Zalar leads the pitching staff with 18 appearances and a team-best 3.96 ERA. 

Following Wednesday's mid-week game, the Captains will travel to Bridgewater College on Thursday for a single game before returning home on Saturday, April 16 to host No. 21 Salisbury in a doubleheader starting at Noon.