LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama softball team returns home this weekend for a colossal GSC series against No. 15 West Florida.
Game one of the series is slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, while games two and three are set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
UWA (27-8-1, 16-5 GSC) enters the weekend as winners of nine of its last 10 games. No. 15 UWF (30-8, 15-6 GSC) comes into the matchup riding a five-game win streak after a series sweep over Lee.
All eyes will be on this matchup between the Tigers and Argos, as both teams are among the hottest in the GSC. UWA is tied for first place in the conference, while West Florida sits tied for second, just one game behind the Tigers.
Following a midweek sweep over Miles, UWA is batting .294 as a team and has hit 37 home runs on the season. Ella Watson leads the offensive charge, as the sophomore is making a strong case for First Team All-GSC honors. Entering the weekend, Watson is hitting .340 with a team-high 10 home runs and 28 RBIs. Over the last four games, the outfielder is batting .500 with two home runs and five RBIs.
Ann Marie Stanbridge, the reigning GSC Player of the Week, has also been on a tear. The senior delivered an impressive performance against Trevecca Nazarene, hitting .700 with two home runs and five RBIs. She added two more RBIs against Miles on Tuesday and now sits just four RBIs shy of breaking UWA's career RBI record. After her standout week, Stanbridge is batting .315 on the season with 22 RBIs.
The Tigers' offense extends beyond Watson and Stanbridge, as Haley Shannon, Kayla Morris, ShaKeria Washington, and Trinity Hatcher continue to be tough outs, while Jessica Rose remains hot at the plate. Rose enters the weekend hitting .533 with eight RBIs over her last five games.
In the circle, Eleanor De Block remains the ace. She is expected to start game one and enters the weekend with a 15-7 record and a 1.76 ERA. Megan Roe is projected to start game two, bringing an 8-0 record and a 2.51 ERA. Stanbridge has been a key bullpen arm, leading the conference with a 1.46 ERA over 48.0 innings.
No. 15 West Florida swept Lee last weekend, outscoring the Flames 19-5 across the three games. As a team, the Argos are batting .319, which ranks second in the GSC, and hold a 3.09 ERA in the circle.
Although 2025 GSC Co-Player of the Year Gianna Guerriero is no longer on the roster, West Florida still boasts a dangerous lineup. Hannah Harper has emerged as the team's top hitter, leading the Argos in batting average, home runs, and RBIs with a .398 average, eight home runs, and 42 RBIs. Nicole Mergen is another major threat, leading the team with 10 home runs and ranking second with 37 RBIs.
Emma Brice, Miranda Harmon, Jessie Baughan, Naevaeh Hayes, and Abigail Poole are all hitting above .300, with Harmon also adding 29 stolen bases.
In the circle, Haley Guffey leads the Argos' pitching staff. She holds a 19-3 record with a 2.14 ERA over 137.1 innings, along with 13 complete games and four shutouts. Harper has logged the second-most innings on the team (74.2) and carries a 9-3 record with a 4.59 ERA.
Freshman Brianna Adams has made more starts than Harper this season and could get the nod in game two. Adams holds a 3.84 ERA across 31.0 innings.
First pitch for game one is set for Friday at 5:00 p.m., with games two and three scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
