COLUMBIA, Ky. -- The Lindsey Wilson College softball program released its 2010 schedule today and there will be no shortage of challenges as the squad prepares to break in the new decade.

Five teams that finished last season ranked in the top 15 of the NAIA make up the early portion of the schedule during a road trip to the Orange Beach Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala., March 5-7 followed by a direct jump into a strong Mid-South Conference schedule.

First-year Blue Raider head coach Ashley McCool is excited to see what her group can accomplish.

"We will for sure be tested early in the year," said McCool. "We have some great chances to show what our program is made of."

McCool inherits a team that finished 26-19 last season and 14-10 in conference play. This year's edition benefits from the return of last season's top hitter in Jamie Williams (.435 batting average, four home runs) and addition of quality newcomer pitchers Anyibell Ramirez and Morgan Paschall.

Thirteen of the team's 25 dates are scheduled at home, where they will be playing their first full season at the new ball park adjacent to the Louie B. Nunn Parkway.

The first chance to play an official game in the new stadium will be the season opener as Indiana University Southeast comes to Columbia at 3 p.m. CT on Feb. 25.

Lindsey Wilson returns home two days later against Cumberland (Tenn.) University at 1 p.m. on Feb. 27 before taking off for the Orange Beach Tournament.

"Our 2010 softball schedule is going to be very challenging this season," added McCool. "We open up at home before heading to Alabama where some of the top teams in the nation will be playing. We take on five teams that finished last year ranked in the top 15."

After returning home, Lindsey Wilson gets started right away with conference play. The MSC season opens at home for the Blue Raiders against Georgetown (Ky.) College at 2 p.m. on March 9.

Lindsey Wilson will also host West Virginia Tech, Union (Ky.) College, St. Catharine (Ky.) College, Pikeville (Ky.) College, Campbellsville (Ky.) College and University of the Cumberlands (Ky.).

"When we get back from the Orange Beach Tournament, we play powerhouses Georgetown and Campbellsville that week," said McCool. "We do have a lot of home games at our new facility, which is very exciting."

While the schedule is loaded with talented teams, McCool's hope is that it will pay off with her goal of advancing deep into the postseason.

"All in all, our 2010 schedule is definitely going to prepare us for the conference and postseason play," admitted McCool. "I can't wait to get started and see that this team can do."

Click here for the 2010 schedule.