LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Softball team travels to the Sunshine State this weekend for five games as a part of the Daytona Beach Invitational.
The Daytona Beach Invitational is hosted by Embry-Riddle. West Alabama (2-1-1) will begin the Invitational on Friday with matchups against Southern Wesleyan (0-0) and Tampa (0-2) that's set for 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST. On Saturday, the Tigers will square off against Georgia College (1-1) at 2:00 p.m. before a battle against host, Embry-Riddle (0-2) at 4:30 p.m. CST. To close the weekend, UWA will rematch Georgia College on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. CST.
West Alabama heads to Daytona Beach after picking up a pair of wins against Spring Hill and Middle Georgia State, while tying with Florida Tech and falling to Saint Leo. After opening weekend, the Tigers are hitting .276 as a team along with four Home Runs.Â
Center Fielder, Ella Watson registers two of UWA's four Home Runs after launching the ball over the fence in back-to-back games against Middle Georgia State and Spring Hill. Ann Marie Stanbridge, Haley Shannon, Jessica Rose, and Sha'Keria Washington are all batting .300 or better to begin the year. Stanbridge leads the team with a .538 batting average along with three RBIs. Shannon carries a .417 batting average into the weekend while Rose is hitting .308 with both also driving in three runs through four games. Washington brings a batting average of .300 to Daytona Beach and is primed to remain the Tigers' starting catcher.
On the mound, Megan Roe put together a solid opening weekend as she currently leads in the team in Wins (2), ERA (2.33), and Innings Pitched (12.1). Eleanor De Block is West Alabama's ace while Stanbridge is expected to accumulate innings of work this weekend. As a team, UWA carries a 3.08 ERA and will look to build on that mark this weekend.
Southern Wesleyan will open up their 2026 season this weekend after a 30-15 campaign a season ago. Last season, the Warriors recorded a team batting average of .314 and return three of their top hitters in Rebecca Lamb, Maddie Crouch, and Olivia Haag. In the circle, Southern Wesleyan compiled a 2.99 team ERA in 2025 and return their best pitchers in Haag and Chloe Smith. Haag and Smith were two of the top pitchers in the Conference Carolinas last year, combining for 17 wins and a 2.25 ERA.
Tampa compiled a 48-12 record in 2025 but enters the weekend 0-2 on the year after being swept by Oklahoma Christian last week. The Spartans' offense was stifled on opening weekend, recording a .200 batting average. The trio of Aubrey Zechmann, Jenna Neupaver, and Kinnah Kreidler recorded nine of Tampa's ten hits on the weekend. Zechmann and Neupaver are both freshmen and will be featured on West Alabama's scouting report. Gwen McGinnis is the ace in the circle for the Spartans but the Tigers are more likely to see Kelsey Winters or Holly Steffus on Friday afternoon.
Georgia College enters the Invitational 1-1 on the year after splitting their two game series against Young Harris. The Bobcats went 23-24 last season and began the year, hitting .250 at the plate through 14 innings. Kimber Kent, Reina Checo, and Emily Hobbs led the way offensively against Young Harris. The trio combined for seven hits and five RBIs on opening weekend. In the circle, Georgia College allowed five runs per game against Young Harris. Sydney Garrett threw 9.1 innings and accumulated a team-best 1.50 ERA, including a complete game performance in the Bobcats 3-2 win over Young Harris.
Last season, Embry-Riddle went 29-18 and 15-15 in the Sunshine State Conference. The Eagles dropped both of their games on opening weekend, falling to Pittsburg State and Ferris State. After hitting .353 last season, Emma Wood is back for her senior season. Wood was a First Team All-SSC selection in 2025 and began her 2026 campaign with three hits on opening weekend. In the circle, Embry-Riddle recorded a team ERA of 2.88 last season but began the new year, allowing five runs per game on opening weekend.
The schedule for the Daytona Beach Invitational is listed below:
- Friday at 11:30 a.m. CST: West Alabama vs Southern WesleyanÂ
- Friday at 4:30 p.m. CST: West Alabama vs Tampa
- Saturday at 2:00 p.m. CST: West Alabama vs Georgia College
- Saturday at 4:30 p.m. CST: West Alabama vs Embry-Riddle
- Sunday at 9:00 a.m. CST: West Alabama vs Georgia College
