Columbia State Community College's Chargers baseball and Lady Chargers softball teams are getting ready to start their 2010 seasons. The Chargers baseball squad will begin their season on Sunday, February 7 at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, AL at 1 p.m. They continue on the road at Gadsden State in Gadsden, AL on Monday, February 8 and Calhoun in Decatur, AL on Friday, February 12 before their first home contest on Tuesday, February 16 at 1 p.m. against Bethel JV at Dave Hall Field. The Chargers game on Monday at 12 p.m. at Gadsden State will be broadcast live on TennesseeSportsNet.com.

The Lady Chargers will open their season at Union University on Tuesday, February 9 at 4 p.m. and will follow up with a second game on Friday, February 12 at Northwest Shoals, AL. Their home opener will take place on Saturday, February 20 against Trevecca at 1 p.m.

"This is an interesting baseball team. There really isn't a big time superstar like Chris Lovett off of last year's squad," said Chargers interim baseball coach Mike Corn. "It's a team of hardnosed, blue collar young men who will fight you to the very last out. We're not getting very much respect from around the league if you look at the pre-season coaches poll, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Our young guys are going to have to step up and prove that they can compete on this level just as I have to show that I am capable of coaching in this league. I feel that we may very well have the right make-up to play with a little chip on our shoulder and surprise some people."

"The Lady Chargers softball team has been working hard to prepare for the 2010 softball season," said head coach Johnny Littrell. "We have four sophomores that have shown great leadership into getting 11 freshman a jump start on what is coming their way. Our new pitching coach Rick Stevens has fined tuned our four pitchers to higher limits. This year's team has the heart of a giant that can carry them through the toughest opponents. There is a lot of excitement and the softball team is eager to get started by playing some of the top ranked teams in the country. Our team goal is to use our regular season schedule to build us into a stronger team that will get us into the National Tournament for the first time. Check our schedule out and make time to come support the Columbia State Lady Chargers Softball team."

The membership fee for the Chargers Athletics Booster Club is $100 per family. Membership includes free entry to all Columbia State sporting events, reserved parking, and admission into the hospitality room at all home basketball games for all family members. Individual tickets are $4 for the general public, $2 for children under 10 and senior citizens, and $2 for students (with college ID).

For more information on Chargers Athletics and complete 2010 baseball and softball schedules, visit www.columbiastate.edu/sports.