BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After the success of advancing to the South Super Regional, the program's first appearance in school history, the University of West Alabama softball team was picked third in the 2012 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The Tigers logged five third place votes, sandwiched between a second place and fifth place nod for a total of 34 points.

Alabama-Huntsville is picked first, grabbing six, first place votes for the top spot while defending conference champion, Valdosta State is second with 44 points, including two first place nods along with five, second place votes. West Florida sits in fourth with 31 points. Heading up the final four spots in the conference are North Alabama (22) in fifth, Delta State (20) in sixth, West Georgia (13) in seventh and Christian Brothers (12) in eighth.

Along with the coaches' poll, the GSC also released its Preseason All-GSC Team. Kristen Skinner was tabbed as the lone UWA representative following a stellar first season with the Red and White. Last season, the Toxey, Ala., native tossed 179.2 innings while compiling a 20-2 record and a 2.10 ERA. The senior pitcher recorded three, double-digit strikeout performances en route to fanning a conference-best 178 batters and nabbing first team laurels.

Fifth-year, head coach Will Atkinson added 12 new faces to his squad from a season ago. Jessica Brock, Kelsey Cooper and Stephanie Shoup, three of the new additions, were featured among the conference's top newcomers.

Brock, one of three freshmen is a pitcher from Gallion, Ala. The Marengo Academy product was a two-time all-district and all-state performer and was named Tuscaloosa News Player of the Year.

Cooper and Shoup are among eight transfers joining the team. Cooper, a Mobile, Ala., product, played in 52 games at Faulkner State while tallying a .386 batting average. The junior helped FSCC to the conference championship in 2011 and was named first team all-conference and all-region.

Shoup, a Oviedo, Fla., native played two seasons at the State College of Florida where she posted a .268 batting average. The junior was named All-Sun Coast Conference both seasons while helping SCF to the conference crown in 2010.

West Alabama opens the 2012 season with a two-day tournament at Columbus State. The Tigers open on Friday, Feb. 10 against the host Cougars at 11 a.m. followed by a 3 p.m. first pitch versus Augusta State.