LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Softball team is set to travel to the Sunshine State this weekend for double headers against No.10 Tampa, Saint Leo, and Florida Southern.

West Alabama (3-2) enters this weekend's play after a 3-2 outing to begin the year at the Gulf Shores Invitational. For No.10 Tampa (2-0), they come into play after sweeping their double header against Georgia Southwestern this past Sunday while Saint Leo (3-1) enters after knocking off two top-10 teams in Lenoir-Rhyne and Rogers State last week. As for Florida Southern (1-1), they come into the weekend after splitting their season opening double header against Georgia Southwestern.

Early in the season, West Alabama has proven that they are one of the top teams in the nation after winning three out of five in a competitive field at the Gulf Shores Invitational. The Tigers pitching and defense is what stood out most with Eleanor De Block and Madison Wright carrying the load. In 14.0 inning of work, De Block hasn't allowed an earned run, bringing a 2-0 record and a 0.00 ERA into this weekend. De Block is currently UWA's number two behind Wright as the Tigers' lefty is slated to get the ball on Friday against the Spartans in Game One. 

Wright flaunts a 1-1 record along with a 1.75 ERA in a team-high 20.0 innings pitched through the first five games as she attempts to neutralize the 10th ranked Spartans this weekend. 

Marissa Mitchell leads the way offensively for the Tigers as the superstar Second Basemen carries a .444 batting average along with three RBIs through the first five contests. Ella Watson, Ann Marie Stanbridge, and Taylor Clegg are all also hitting well over .300 to begin the year with Stanbridge holding the team lead in the RBI department with eight. 

While opening up the season 2-0, Tampa didn't hit all that well on opening weekend, carrying a .231 team batting average into the matchup on Friday. Freshman Infielder, McKenna Demarion began her collegiate career, by hitting .500 on opening weekend while Third Baseman Alex Russo also hit .500 along with two RBIs to help the Spartans to a flawless start of their 2025 campaign.

Mariah Galhouse, Gwen McGinnis, and Kate DeSimone pitched this last weekend for Tampa and only allowed two earned runs in their two wins over the Hurricanes. Galhouse pitched a complete game in her appearance, surrendering just three hits and one run. UWA is more than likely to see Tampa's pitching trio this weekend, beginning on Friday.

As a team, Saint Leo is hitting .274 with junior Utility player, Haleigh Thomas leading the way. In nine at bats thus far, Thomas has registered a hit in seven of them, accumulating a .778 batting average. The junior has also driven in four runs with Briana Neal leading the Lions in that category with five. On the mound for Saint Leo, Tierney Hocquard has been lights out. Much like West Alabama's De Block, Hocquard hasn't allowed an earned run through 9.1 innings of work while striking out eight batters and surrendering seven hits. While Saint Leo's Thomas has been stellar at the plate, she's been equally as good on the hill for the Lions as she currently holds a 1-1 record with a 1.00 ERA in 14.0 innings of work.

Florida Southern is batting .239 as a team through their first two games with Alissa Kessler and Shelbie Valencia both hitting .500. Keira Morris, Kate Mikle, and Kelsey Kadlub have collected the four RBIs for the Mocs while Des Aitken has been most effective on the mound. In their lone win over Georgia Southwestern, Aitken pitched a complete game shutout along with six strikeouts.

Friday's double header against No.10 Tampa is set for 4:00 p.m. while Saturday's double header against Saint Leo is slated for 1:00 p.m. and Florida Southern's double header is set for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.