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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University has moved into the second spot in the new national softball poll released Tuesday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The Captains are 23-1 and have won 11 straight games heading into Wednesday's doubleheader vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University at Captains Park. The first game of the twin bill is set for 3:00 p.m.

Keith Parr's team has been ranked third in the country the last two weeks. The Captains trail only top-ranked East Texas Baptist, the squad that handed CNU its only loss this season, in the new poll. 

The Captains are coming off a sweep on Sunday over Meredith College at Captains Park. Senior pitcher Jamie Martin provided the heroics by striking out all 15 batters she faced in a five-inning perfect game. CNU won the game by an 8-0 score, and was shortened to five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule. Martin was named the Pitcher of the Week in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference for her superlative effort.

Christopher Newport leadoff hitter and centerfielder Candace Slaw continues her torrid hitting. Slaw, who was named the C2C's Player of the Week this week, is currently hitting .613 and has scored 39 times in 24 games. She leads the nation in runs scored (39) and base hits (49) in Division III, and is seventh in the country in batting average.Fifth-year senior third baseman Brooke Greaver is presently second in the nation in runs batted in with 38, also in 24 games played.

Wednesday's games at Captains Park will bring a 14-game home stand to a close for Christopher Newport. North Carolina Wesleyan enters play with a record of 14-10, and the Battling Bishops won their last two games last Saturday over Southern Virginia by scores of 4-0 and 9-1. The Captains and Bishops have met 92 times in the past, and CNU holds a 67-25 advantage in the series. The Captains have won the last 11 in the series, including two victories last year in Rocky Mount by scores of 9-2 and 4-0. The series dates back to 1985 when both schools were members of the Dixie Conference, which later became the USA South, which is still the conference home of the Bishops.

Wednesday's games will be streamed live on CNUsports.com, and you can watch the action by clicking the link at the top of this story. Live stats will also be available with the link provided above.

The complete poll from the NFCA.

NFCA/GoRout Division III Top 25 Softball Coaches Poll – April 1, 2025

Rank	Team	Points	2025 Record	Previous
1	East Texas Baptist (10)	250	22-2	1
2	Christopher Newport	240	23-1	3
3	Rowan	230	24-0	4
4	Linfield	220	16-2	2
5	Virginia Wesleyan	210	21-1	5
6	Texas Lutheran	200	25-1	8
7	Trine	190	16-4	10
8	Salisbury	180	21-2	11
9	Huntingdon	170	22-3	9
10	Redlands	160	21-7	6
11	Wisconsin-Oshkosh	150	16-2	7
12	Belhaven	140	20-6	13
13	Williams	130	10-4	12
14	Randolph-Macon	120	22-2	14
15	Case Western Reserve	110	14-7	15
16	Wisconsin-Whitewater	100	14-0	16
17	Gettysburg	90	20-3	17
18	WashU	80	18-5	18
19	Berry	70	19-5	19
20	Central	60	9-3	20
21	Emory	50	20-2	21
22	Wisconsin-Stevens Point	40	17-3	22
23	Moravian	30	16-4	23
24	Pfeiffer	20	18-7	24
25	Saint Mary's (Minn.)	10	15-3	RV

Others receiving votes: None.


Dropped out: Ramapo.