ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict softball team begins its MIAC season this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders. On Saturday, CSB travels to Moorhead for a doubleheader against Concordia starting at 1 p.m. The Blazers then host their first home game of the season on Sunday against Saint Mary's in St. Joseph at 1 p.m.
 
About the Cobbers:
The Concordia College Cobbers come into Saturday's matchup against the Blazers after starting the season 8-8, and have yet to play a home or MIAC game. The Cobbers will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak after dropping a doubleheader to Minnesota-Morris Thursday afternoon. Madison Little leads the MIAC with a .569 batting average, and is second in the league with 19 stolen bases.
 
About the Cardinals:
The Saint Mary's University Cardinals come into Sunday's matchup against the Blazers after starting the season 6-10, and they are 1-3 on the road. Saint Mary's is currently on a three game losing streak, and have a double header against St. Catherine on Saturday before taking on CSB on Sunday. Ashley Betzold leads the team with a .385 batting average and has two home runs. Brittney Birkhauser is tied for first in the MIAC with three home runs, and leads the team with 12 RBIs.
 
Who to Watch:
Sara Wennerstrand will be looking to stay hot at the plate leading the team with a .426 batting average, a .667 slugging percentage, and a MIAC-leading three home runs. Emilie Antony is third in the MIAC with 18 RBIs. Kate Deming is third in the MIAC with 13 stolen bases and leads the team with 23 runs scored. Kiela DeVlaeminck leads the pitchers with a 3.16 ERA, a record of 4-1, 37.2 innings pitched and 35 strikeouts.
 
Last Time Out:
Last weekend, the Blazers traveled to Pella, Iowa, for a double-header against 22^nd-ranked Central College. CSB was defeated 7-6 in the first game, after giving up four runs in the seventh inning. In the second game CSB lost 9-1 in six innings, and were not able to overcome a six-run second inning by Central. Deming, Toninato, and Antony all had two hits in the double-header, and Deming scored two of the team's seven runs.
 
The Storyline:
The Blazers will look to improve their 11-5 record as they begin conference season, carried by an offense that averages 7.19 runs per game. After not making the playoffs last year, the Blazers start the MIAC season with hopes of improving on a 10-12 conference record and a 6-8 home record.