LIVINGSTON, Ala. – After a rare weekend off from competition, the University of West Alabama softball team will open the spring break week on Tuesday, March 17, traveling to Jackson, Tenn. to face Lambuth University.  First pitch is set for 3 p.m. on the LU campus.

The St. Patrick’s Day twinbill is replacing UWA’s scheduled trip to Jackson, Tenn. on Feb. 27-28, as weather issues forced the postponement.  The meeting with the Eagles is the second of a home-and-home series.  The Tigers swept LU in Livingston on March 9, cruising in the opener, 11-2 and blanking the Eagles, 9-0 in the night cap.  UWA blasted six home runs off of LU pitching in the double dip.

The day trip to Jackson, Tenn. begins UWA’s journey during the spring holiday break.  After returning from LU, the Tigers will take on Huntingdon College on Thursday, March 19, in Montgomery, Ala. before continuing on to Valdosta, Ga. to open Gulf South Conference play on Saturday, March 21.  UWA closes out the road trip on Sunday, March 22 at West Florida.

Sophomore Kelli Hartley leads the ballclub at the plate with a sizzling .422 batting average along with leading UWA in home runs and RBIs.  The Northport, Ala.-second baseman bolted her seventh home run of the season against Miles last Thursday.  She has driven in 29 and scored 26 runs this season.  Senior Courtney Gordon enters the week with a .415 clip at the plate.  The Columbus, Miss.-product has registered 27 hits, eight for extra bases, including a pair of home runs against Miles.

In the circle, UWA sports a 2.23 earned run average and as a staff, only allowed 66 total runs, 45 earned runs.  Opposing batters are hitting .231 against the Tiger hurlers.  Senior Brittany McGee leads the staff with an 8-1 mark.  Junior transfer Jessica Cervantes has been UWA’s closer with six saves.