INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. –  The University of West Alabama softball team is one of five Gulf South Conference teams ranked in the initial 2009 NCAA South Region poll, released by the NCAA Division II Softball Committee on Thursday.  The Tigers enter the rankings sixth in the ten-team listing.

The region rankings are a portion of the selection process for post season play.  UWA has posted a 13-5 mark within the region as of March 23.  The Tigers are off to their best start in school history and bumped the overall record to 27-5 last Tuesday with a sweep of region foe Stillman College.

UAH sits atop the rankings followed by West Florida and Florida Southern, who the Tigers knocked off at the Wolves Invitational on March 7.  Valdosta State ranks fifth in the region just ahead of UWA.  Arkansas at Monticello is the lone GSC West representative, coming in at No. 10. 

UWA’s GSC home opener against North Alabama has been pushed back to Sunday, March 29, due to the pending weather forecast.  First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at the UWA Softball Complex.  The Red and White will test second-ranked UAH on Monday, March 30.

South Region Overall Division II (Region Record, as of 3/23) 

1. Alabama-Huntsville (22-1)
2. West Florida  (22-5)
3. Florida Southern  (19-8)
4. Rollins  (27-4)
5. Valdosta State  (22-5)
6. West Alabama  (13-5)
7. Nova Southeastern  (29-9)
8. Tampa  (19-5)
9. Saint Leo (21-12)
10. Arkansas at Monticello  (19-2)