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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The new season opens Sunday for Christopher Newport University softball, as the Captains travel to Ferrum College for a doubleheader. Game one is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.

The teams were originally scheduled to play on Saturday, but the twin bill was re-scheduled following the snow that fell this week. The Panthers opened the new season on Tuesday, and dropped both games of a doubleheader at Pfeiffer University by scores of 5-1 and 9-2. CNU and Ferrum have played 74 games in the past, and the Captains have posted an all-time record of 59-15 against the Panthers. The Captains have won the last six games, including a sweep last year at Captains Park, 7-1 and 6-0.

Christopher Newport is ranked ninth in the country in the pre-season poll from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). CNU returns 20 players from last year's squad that finished 34-7 and advanced to the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament. It marked the 17th straight NCAA Tournament for CNU, and the Captains were ranked tenth in the country in the final poll from the NFCA.
 
Keith Parr begins his 22nd season leading CNU, and has won exactly 700 games with 208 losses and one tie. He picked up his 700th career victory at Rowan in the Super Regionals last season. 
 
Centerfielder Candace Slaw is back for her sophomore season after an amazing start last year. Slaw was honored as the commonwealth's top freshman by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID), and was also the Rookie of the Year in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference. Slaw was the Most Outstanding Player in CNU's NCAA regional tournament victory at Captains Park. CNU's leadoff hitter posted a batting average of .476 and scored 43 runs in 41 games. She also stole 39 bases in 44 attempts.
 
Third baseman Brooke Greaver also returns for her fifth season of play. Greaver was the Most Valuable Player of the C2C Tournament last year, and has hit 26 career home runs for the Captains.
 
Primary starting pitchers Jamie Martin and Kate Alger both return for their senior seasons, and have both been spectacular in the circle. Martin was named the Pitcher of the Year in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference last year, and posted a record of 13-2 and an earned run average of 1.15. Alger registered a record of 16-5 and an ERA of 1.79 for the Captains last spring. She received her third straight league honor from the C2C, named first team All-Conference for the second straight year. 
 
Christopher Newport set a new school mark with 144 stolen bases last season, and also posted a .315 team batting average. In all, the Captains will start the season with a roster of 30 student-athletes, including ten newcomers to the program.