Excitement.

That is surrounding Belle Lady Tiger head softball coach Randis Sanders and her squad entering the 2020 fall season on the diamond.

“I’m really excited for this upcoming season,” Sanders said. “Our team is loaded with potential and we have our three leading hitters returning from last year.”

Those three hitters Sanders is referring to are the senior duo of Susie Moman and Cheyenne Struemph along with junior Gracie Rehmert.

All three of those players are also returning All-Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) First Team Softball selections.

Joining Moman and Struemph as a senior on the BHS Lady Tiger softball team is Aryssa Chambers.

Underclassmen making up Belle’s softball roster include the sophomore duo of Heaven Kelly and Ryleigh Long.

Long is also a returning All-GVC softball second team selection at shortstop.

Making up the majority of the Belle Lady Tiger softball team are freshmen Natalie Gehlert, Johanna Roberds, Miranda Sanders, Nevaeh Kinsey and Emma White.

“Our freshmen are hard working and will be assets to our team this year,” Sanders said.

Assisting Sanders in the first base coaches box will be Kimberly Daugherty.

Following their preseason jamboree last night (Tuesday) in Linn, Sanders’ Lady Tigers will open their season Friday hosting Richland’s Lady Bears at 5 p.m., at Belle City Park.

Nearly 14 hours later, Belle will open action Saturday at the New Haven Softball Classic taking on the host Lady Shamrocks in a rematch of the district semifinals at 8 a.m., at New Haven City Park.

After tournament action in the land of Shamrocks, the Lady Tigers will have a string of four straight home games against California’s Lady Pintos, Newburg’s Lady Wolves, Linn’s Lady Wildcats and Iberia’s Lady Rangers.

Belle will return to Pinto country after their four-game home stand for the annual California Softball Tournament.

Looking to unseat the five-time defending GVC Champions, Belle will open GVC play in Vienna against the Eagles on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m.

With Bourbon and Steelville in spring softball, Belle will face Vienna and Cuba twice throughout the fall to decide who will be crowned the GVC champion.