April 17, 2008

PENSACOLA, Fla. - UWF's softball team has moved up in the regional ranking to take over the number nine spot, knocking off GSC West Division opponents Henderson State and Delta State. West Florida joins GSC East Division opponents Alabama-Huntsville and Valdosta State who hold the two and three spots in the regional poll. West Florida has split with UAH twice this season for a 2-2 record, and has won three out of four games with Valdosta State in regular season play. Rankings do not include West Florida's sweep over Valdosta State on Monday afternoon.

Barry University currently holds the number one spot with a 37-3 record this season, with three wins over West Florida this season. Splitting with West Florida early on in the season, the University of Tampa is in the number four hole, closely followed by Saint Leo in the number five spot. Saint Leo is 19-10 in regional play and is one of four teams in the top ten that West Florida has yet to face this season. Currently at number six is regional opponent Rollins College who split with West Florida in the GSC/Sunshine State Crossover at the beginning of the 2008 season.

Nova Southeastern and Florida Southern are just ahead of West Florida at seven and eight, as UWF has not seen play against either of these teams this season. Just behind UWF with the number ten ranking is Albany State, a part of the SIAC conference with a 28-12 record.

The top eight regional teams will earn bids to the NCAA regional tournament that follows conference tournaments. Included in the South Region are the GSC Conference, Sunshine State Conference, and the SIAC. The three teams winning each conference tournament receive an automatic bid, with five at-large teams filling the remaining spots. The GSC tournament will be taking place May 2-4 in South Haven, Mississippi, with the top four teams from both the East and West Divisions competing for regional bids. West Florida has clinched their berth to the GSC tournament, holding down the number three spot behind Valdosta and UAH in the East Division.

West Florida enters their last weekend of regular season play with a 35-18 record overall, 21-13 against region opponents, and 15-7 in GSC conference play. West Florida will face GSC opponents West Georgia on Saturday and West Alabama on Sunday. Sunday's games will conclude the regular season for UWF, and will also include a Senior Day ceremony between games.