VALDOSTA, Ga. - After a midweek doubleheader sweep in non-conference competition against the Lander Bearcats in Greenwood, S.C., the Valdosta State softball team returns to Gulf South Conference action this weekend, as they welcome the Union Lady Bulldogs to Valdosta, Ga. for a three-game series at Steel's Diamond.

For one and a half months now, the Blazers have been practically unstoppable. The team is currently working on a winning streak of 21 games, the program's longest since the 2012 National Championship season, and this week, they reclaimed the coveted No. 1 position in the most recent National Fastpitch Coaches Association rankings.

In order to extend the streak, the Blazers (31-2, 16-1 GSC) , who hold a narrow lead in the GSC rankings, will have to solve the Union Bulldogs (20-11, 8-9 GSC) and pitcher Kelly Robey. Robey enters the weekend set as one of the top pitchers in the league and tagged with a collection of statistics that include a conference leading 196 strikeouts in 148.2 innings pitched. Despite her ability to strike batters out, however, the righty has shown signs of control issues with 66 total walks on the season and 13 hit batsmen.

Expect the Blazers to try and counter Union's attack with a patient approach that has payed off handsomely in recent weeks for the red and black, especially for Jaime Phillips. Phillips, who has taken over the leadoff role for Valdosta State throughout the injury-induced absence of senior slugger Courtney Albritton, improved her league leading base on balls total to 31 on Wednesday. The junior shortstop's ability to wait for a good pitch has resulted in a four-game hitting streak for Phillips that includes 11 hits in 12 at-bats. Seven of those 11 hits have been home runs, and when factoring in the walks, Phillips has reached safely in 16 of her last 18 plate appearances, and one of those two outs came as a sacrifice bunt.

Softball action kicks off on Saturday with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader, and the series wraps up on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. All of the weekend games will feature live stats and a live audio broadcast, which can be accessed at www.vstateblazers.com.