NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christopher Newport rookie outfielder Jason Mendler was named to the D3baseball.com National Team of the Week after helping lead the Captains to a dominating 28-4 win on the road last week over Eastern Mennonite University. On Thursday, the Captains will look to continue their success with a 26-7 overall record heading into a matchup against cross-water rival Virginia Wesleyan University. First pitch from Captains Park is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Needing to see just two pitches to earn a spot on the National Team of the Week, Mendler had an impressive showing in two at-bats against Eastern Mennonite. During an 11-run sixth inning, Mendler doubled and homered to make the most out of his appearance against the Royals, scoring twice and drivin in four.

After the freshman came on as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the fourth, he stepped up to the plate for the first time to lead off the sixth. The rookie swatted the first pitch he saw into the left center field gap for a double and scored three batters later. As the Captains batted around, Mendler stepped in again with the bases loaded and teed off on a first-pitch fastball, mashing his first career home run for a grand slam. 

The offensive outburst was part of a record-breaking explosion at the dish for the Captains, who tied the program record with 28 runs scored and set a new mark with 27 RBI. Mendler's 2-for-2 effort with 4 RBI led the way while Alec Reilly also added a grand slam and Justin Bowers had three RBI with a solo home run. Justin Liakos also had a dinger in the game and finished 2-for-2 with 3 RBI. 

Since, the Captains have gone on to add a 6-2 win over St. Mary's (Md.) while improving to 26-7 on the season. The matchup against Virginia Wesleyan on Thursday will be the 62nd all-time meeting with Christopher Newport holding a slight 32-29 edge in the series. CNU has won six straight against the Marlins dating back to the 2017 season. 

The Captains are hitting .322 as a club while being led by an impressive contingent at the top of the order with lead-off man Scott Crosson hitting .377 and rookie shortstop in the two-hole hitting a team-best .379. Two more newcomers, Ayden Stuffel and Zach Dzarnowski, are also hitting over .365 to pace the dangerous CNU lineup. 

On the mound, junior Jack Braley (4-0, 1.26 ERA) has had an impressive turn through the season to lead the way while sophomore Jackson Baird (5-1, 2.36 ERA) picked up the win against the Seahawks on Tuesday. He currently leads the team in strikeouts with 59 in 42.0 innings pitched while senior Dylan Weber (4-2, 4.69 ERA) will likely take the ball on Thursday with 56 K's in 40.1 innings pitched. 

Viginia Wesleyan is 5-21-1 this season while being led by Matt Sinko hitting .358 with a team-high 25 RBI and 13 extra-base hits. Jake Ness has added a .420 OBP while hitting .313 for the Marlins in 2023. 

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com -- links to both can be found on the baseball schedule at CNUsports.com.