Christopher Newport University's baseball program is one of those you watch because you expect growth - not just in wins, but in grit. After finishing the 2025 season 21-18 and pushing all the way to the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) Tournament championship game - only to fall to Salisbury - the Captains are staring at 2026 with both hope and questions.

With Coach John Harvell entering his 25th season at the helm - his career at CNU boasts 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, 7 conference titles, and multiple deep postseason runs - expectations aren't just for competing, but for contending.

The release of the 2026 CNU schedule brings clarity about how the season may unfold: early tests, rivalry showdowns, and long stretches where momentum (or lack of it) could define the year.

Top Matchups & Game-Changers in the 2026 Schedule

Here are some of the games we'll be circling:

Feb 10 vs Eastern Mennonite (Home) - A chance to open strong in front of home crowd. Early wins build confidence.

Feb 11 at Averett - Road test so early means the pitching staff and bullpen depth will be tested right away.

Feb 14 Doubleheader vs Southern Virginia (Home) - Managing two games in one day always reveals who's ready and who's still adjusting to cold arms or lineup changes.

D3 Showcase in Greensboro (Feb 20-22, neutral site) - Probably the first real benchmark vs varied competition. Will show what adjustments made in fall/winter carry through.

Conference rival Salisbury games (both away and home) - Given how Salisbury ended the 2025 season (beating CNU in the C2C final), these will feel like measuring sticks and redemption chances.

What CNU Needs to Fix & Build On

From last season, several strengths and weaknesses emerge, and the 2026 schedule exposes both:

Strengths: John Harvell's experience, especially in postseason pressure; returning core players who have seen big games; ability to compete in neutral site showdowns.

Weaknesses / risks: Inconsistent offense in conference play when facing good pitching (e.g. early frames vs Salisbury in 2025 where they were shut down). Bullpen/reliever usage under stress. Depth in injury prone or fatigue-prone stretches.

Takeaways for Fans & Observers

Here are things to WATCH & EXPECT in the 2026 season. Think of this like your fan-checklist:

Track early-season momentum: How does CNU fare in the first 4-6 non-conference games? If they start 4-2 or better, that sets the tone.

Pitching rotation depth: Can the starters give 5-6 strong innings consistently? How reliable is the bullpen late in games or in doubleheaders?

Performance vs Salisbury: Those head-to-head matchups may define whether CNU is chasing or leading in the C2C. Home field vs away toughness: How many wins do they defend at Captains Park? Do they win on the road in tough environments?

Clutch hitting in tight games: Late innings, two-outs, runners in scoring position - those moments decide championships.

Can 2026 Be the Year?

If the Captains want to flip that "runner-up in the final" story from 2025 into "champion" in 2026, the path is clear but not easy. Coach Harvell has built credibility, culture, and consistency. The schedule demands grit - early road tests, rivalry showdowns, and tight conference battles.

I believe if CNU takes care of business in non-conference, shows up big in February/March, and brings energy into every Salisbury game, they have a very real shot. Fans: your voices matter. Share your predictions, your favorite game you'll attend, and your breakout player.

Join the conversation, dive deeper, and stay up-to-date with forty4 Talks Baseball. Let's see together if 2026 is the year the Captains close the deal this year.