INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Baseball Committee has announced the first NCAA Division II baseball polls with the University of West Alabama ranked third in the South Region.

UWA (31-10) has racked up 23 region wins after a doubleheader sweep of the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Tuesday evening at Tartt Field.

Southern Arkansas received top billing in the first poll. SAU currently sits a top both national polls and is riding a 17-game win streak. Sunshine State Conference member Florida Southern sits behind the Muleriders in second followed by the Tigers. Barry and Lynn, also SSC members, are ranked fourth and fifth respectively. UAH is sixth followed Nova Southeastern and Tampa. Gulf South Conference members; Valdosta State and Delta State grab the final two spots in the poll.

Tournament champions from the GSC, SSC and Southern Intercollegiate Conference comprise three of the eight bids to the South Regional, May 14-17. The remaining at-large slots are awarded to the five highest-ranked teams in the region. The top-rated team is eligible to host the four day Tournament, providing it placed a bid to host and have adequate facilities and accommodations for teams and fans.

West Alabama returns to GSC play on Saturday, Apr. 18, as the Tigers travel to Florence, Ala. for a key East Division series against North Alabama. The series opens with a doubleheader on Saturday, scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start. The games will be aired on WZNJ 106.5-FM and at athletics.uwa.edu.