LIVINGSTON, Ala. - After 11 non-conference matchups to begin the year, the University of West Alabama Softball team is set to begin their GSC schedule this weekend, traveling to Clinton, Mississippi for a three-game series against Mississippi College.

Game's one and two of the series are slated for Friday, beginning at 2:00 p.m. while Game Three is set for Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

West Alabama (7-4) enters conference play after capturing seven wins through a tough non-conference slate while Mississippi College (6-4) comes in on a four-game winning streak with victories coming over Shorter, Kentucky Wesleyan, Young Harris, and Georgia Southwestern.

UWA and MC played each other four times last season, with the Choctaws taking three of the four meetings, but this is a new year and the Tigers are dead set on kicking off conference play the right way. 

Led by the arms of Madison Wright, Eleanor De Block, and Megan Roe, West Alabama leads the league with a 1.51 ERA through the first 11 games. De Block currently leads the Tigers and ranks sixth in the GSC with a 1.48 ERA while Wright, the reigning GSC Pitcher of the Week, sits in eighth with a 1.73 ERA. While UWA has a star duo at the top of their pitching rotation, Roe has been lights out of the bullpen as the junior has yet to allow an earned run in her four appearances.

Offensively, the top of the order has been strong for West Alabama as they have four players batting well over .300. Haley Shannon has been the epitome of a leadoff hitter for the Tigers as she brings a .500 batting average and nine stolen bases into this weekend's play. Marissa Mitchell has occupied the three-spot for UWA and she brings a .378 batting average into GSC play while Ann Marie Stanbridge has been an RBI machine in the clean up spot, recording 14 RBIs and a .361 batting average. Third baseman, Taylor Clegg brings power to the lineup, accumulating a team-high .541 slugging percentage through the first 11 games in the five-hole spot.

Last season, Mississippi College proved to be one of the best teams in the country, putting together a 48-9 record and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. This year, the Choctaws got off to an uncharacteristic start, dropping four of their first six contests before rattling off four-straight wins heading into league play. 

Led by Blakely Gill, MC is hitting .331 as a team which ranks fourth in the conference. Gill has been a tough out to begin the year as the freshman catcher leads the GSC in all of the major offensive categories with a .643 batting average along with three home runs and 17 RBIs. Junior Outfielder Shelby Samples has also been outstanding, hitting .447 through 10 games.  

On the mound for the Choctaws, Camryn Bailey is Mississippi College's ace. In five appearances, Bailey carries a 3-2 record with a 1.20 ERA, putting her third in the GSC. In 35.0 innings of work, the junior has recorded 42 strikeouts and has held batters to a .172 batting average.

West Alabama vs Mississippi College will be must see television as two of the conference's best teams are set to go head-to-head this weekend.

First pitch for Friday's double header is set for 2:00 p.m. while Game Three on Sunday is slated for 1:00 p.m.