Live Video // Live Stats // Game Program
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University softball returns to action on Friday, as the third-ranked Captains host the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan University at Captains Park. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. The Captains are 26-2 entering the twin bill, while the fifth-ranked Marlins are 31-2-1.
The games will be the first in two weeks for
Keith Parr's squad, as the Captains last played at Randolph-Macon College on April 4th, splitting a doubleheader in Ashland, Va. Christopher Newport opened the year with a 12-0 start before falling to top-ranked East Texas Baptist in the opening game of the Cross Bay Bash on March 14th. CNU then recorded a 13-game winning streak before falling in the opening game at Randolph-Macon two weeks ago.
Christopher Newport University has been led at the plate this year by sophomore centerfielder
Candace Slaw, who is currently hitting .598, which is second in the nation. Slaw has posted 55 base hits in the first 28 games, which is tied for seventh in the national statistics. Slaw has also scored 47 runs in 28 games, which is third in the nation. Fifth-year senior third baseman
Brooke Greaver is presently tied for second in the nation in runs batted in with 46, and is tied for 11th with ten home runs. CNU pitching is eighth in the country in team ERA, as the Captains are allowing just 1.50 runs per seven innings. Senior
Kate Alger is tied for 13th in the nation in victories with a 13-0 record, and Alger is tied for 13th in the country in ERA at 0.83.
The Marlins, meanwhile, are coming off a split on Wednesday at home vs. Bridgewater College. VWU split by winning the opener, 4-1, and then falling in the nightcap in eight innings, 5-4. The loss snapped a nine-game Marlins winning streak.
The Captains and Marlins have played 95 times since the long-running series began in April of 1985. Virginia Wesleyan leads the series, 52-43. Last year, the teams played just one game on March 15th in Virginia Beach, with the second game wiped out due to rain. The Marlins won the game, 3-1. Christopher Newport has won six of the last ten games in the series, including back-to-back NCAA Super Regional triumphs at Captains Park in 2022 and 2023.
Friday'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, and there is also a link to view the game program for the top five battles.
Following Friday's games, the Captains have two road doubleheaders coming up next on the schedule. CNU will travel to Lynchburg, Va., Saturday to take on the Hornets of the University of Lynchburg. The first game will start at 1:30 p.m. Christopher Newport will head to Roanoke, Va., next Wednesday to take on the Maroons of Roanoke College for two. The opening game is set to start at 3:00 p.m. CNU will play its final home regular-season games of the season next Saturday, April 26th, when the Captains entertain the Eagles of the University of Mary Washington. It will be Senior Day at Captains Park, and pre-game ceremonies will begin at 12:45 followed by the start of the twin bill at 1:00 p.m.
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