LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama softball team opens its season Friday at Stillman College, and head coach Will Atkinson is counting on experience and a strong team chemistry to get the 2013 campaign off to a good start.
 
 “We have strong leadership, 14 of our 18 players are either juniors or seniors,” Atkinson said. “From a team chemistry standpoint we are as good as we have been for a long time, but we are still not taking anything for granted.”
 
The first game of the doubleheader begins at noon at the Tiger Softball Field on the Stillman campus in Tuscaloosa. The two games are the first of 12 straight on the road to open the season for West Alabama. UWA's first home games are Feb. 28 when Alabama-Huntsville visits for a Gulf South Conference doubleheader.
 
“We have to figure out how to learn to win early in the season because we don't play at home for a while,” Atkinson said. “Right now we just need to focus on getting that first one under our belt so we can relax and play. We are excited to get started.”
 
If recent history is an indicator, the Tigers should be up for the challenge of playing a dozen games on the road to begin the season. UWA was 16-7 on the road last season and is 28-13 away from home over the last two seasons.
 
The Tigers, picked to finished third in the GSC, return every starter with the exception of one pitcher and a catcher from a 2012 team that finished 35-25. Included among those are preseason All-GSC outfielders Stephanie Shoup and Tamara Vickers, as well as preseason All-GSC catcher Rebecca Schick.
 
Being stocked up on returners, along with the addition of five junior college transfers and the return of first baseman Anna Shartzer to the lineup has Atkinson optimistic.
 
“I don't have a crystal ball and have never been one to predict how we will finish,” Atkinson said, “but I do believe we will come out and compete every day.”