LIVINGSTON, Ala. – After a successful run a season ago, the University of West Alabama softball team opens the 2012 campaign this weekend at the Columbus State Hughston Sports Clinic Classic. UWA opens competition Friday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. against the host Cougars followed with a 3 p.m. start against Augusta State.

The Tigers, who were tabbed third in the 2012 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, advanced to the South Super Regional last season after claiming the South 2 Regional title at Rollins College. The Super Regional appearance marked the first in program history.

Fifth-year head coach Will Atkinson has to replace eight starters from a season ago, including GSC East Division Player of the Year Valisha Fincher along with all-conference selections Anna Shartzer and Jessica Powell, who were the top three hitters on the squad.

2011 First Team All-GSC and 2012 preseason all-conference member Kristen Skinner returns for the Tigers in the circle. The Toxey, Ala., native tossed 179.2 innings while compiling a 20-2 record and a 2.10 ERA. The senior pitcher recorded three, double-digit strikeout performances en route to fanning a conference-best 178 batters.

Rebecca Schick and Taylor Beck return to the lineup for the Red and White after successful campaigns in their first seasons in Livingston.

Schick, a New Orleans, La., product posted a .310 batting average last season, which was fourth best on the team, while belting the third most homeruns with eight. Second Team All-GSC selection, Beck, tallied a .309 average at the plate while scoring 31 runs and recording 51 hits – all marks ranked among the top five on the team. 

The Tigers have added 12 new faces to its squad from a season ago. Jessica Brock, Kelsey Cooper and Stephanie Shoup, three of the new additions, were featured among the conference's top newcomers.

Brock, one of three freshmen is a pitcher from Gallion, Ala. The Marengo Academy product was a two-time all-district and all-state performer and was named Tuscaloosa News Player of the Year.

Cooper and Shoup are among eight transfers joining the team. Cooper, a Mobile, Ala., product, played in 52 games at Faulkner State while tallying a .386 batting average. The junior helped FSCC to the conference championship in 2011 and was named first team all-conference and all-region.

Shoup, a Oviedo, Fla., native played two seasons at the State College of Florida where she posted a .268 batting average. The junior was named All-Sun Coast Conference both seasons while helping SCF to the conference crown in 2010.

Following the opening day of the Hughtson Sports Clinic Classic, West Alabama will face Lenior-Rhyne at 10 a.m. on Saturday before closing the classic out in a second meeting with ASU at 2 p.m.