by Lia Armistead

The Blazers softball team starts with a fresh season with hopes to shine on the diamond like the season before.

The Lady Blazers will take the mound this weekend for their first few games in Milledgeville against Columbus State University and Georgia College and State University.

VSU will play against each for a double header, CSU on Saturday and GCSU on Sunday.

Last season, the Blazers were 45-15 in the overall season and 16-9 in the Gulf South Conference.

The team participated in the NCAA National Championship game and won the Gulf South Conference Championship last year for the sixth consecutive year.

The Lady Blazers go into the first games with only two seniors Fran Johnson, outfielder and Courtney Albritton an utility player for the team. These player have made tremendous leaps this year already along with another teammate.

In a preseason poll of coaches throughout the GSC, Fran Johnson, Courtney Albritton and Kiley Rusen, junior infielder, were all selected to represent the VSU softball team as members of the 2015 Preseason All-GSC Team.

In addition, the Blazers have been predicted to top the standings at the conclusion of the 2015 regular season.

For the CSU Lady Cougars, last season results were 31-20 for the overall season and 10-12 for the conference.

For the GCSU Bobcats, last seasons record was 34-16 overall and 13-9 in the Peach Belt Conference.

However, VSU, CSU and GCSU did not play each other last year, so this weekend will be a challenge for each team, not knowing what to expect.

The Blazers will begin their season at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday with another game at 6:30 p.m. in Milledgeville, Georgia.