TAMPA, Fla. – Timely hits and a strong pitching performance leads the West Alabama softball team to a 3-1 victory over Tampa in the opening day of the NCAA Division II South 2 Regional. The win moves the Tigers (34-23) into a winner's bracket contest against Florida on Saturday at Noon central.

UWA put together just three hits en route to the win as Kristen Skinner kept the Spartan bats off rhythm in the complete outing. The Toxey, Ala., senior fanned three and scattered four hits on her way to her 16th triumph of the season.

The Tigers jumped on the top-ranked pitching staff in the country with two runs in the opening inning. After Stephanie Shoup reached on an error and Morgan Morrison walked, Brooklynn Phillips drove a ball deep into left field to score the duo.

The Red and White added another run in the sixth inning to increase its advantage to 3-0. Kelsey Cooper drove the first pitch she saw back up the middle to plate Rebecca Schick. Schick reached base on a one-out walk.

After being held scoreless through five innings, the Spartans capitalized on two Tiger errors to score its only run of the outing. Tampa would look to score more, but left the bases full and still down a pair of runs.

Deanna Henriott (21-5) struck out 14 batters in the losing effort for the Red and Black while walking five and surrendering three hits.

Morrison logged the only other hit for the Red and White as UWA left six runners stranded on the bases in the effort.