LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama baseball team opens the 2008 season on Friday, February 1, as the Tigers host Second-ranked Columbus State in a three-day, three-game series at Tartt Field. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 2 p.m.

UWA, the defending Gulf South Conference East Division Champion and GSC Tournament Runner-Up, was chosen second in the GSC East, by the conference head coaches, in the pre-season poll. The Red and White look to improve on a 41-14 record from a season ago, its third consecutive 40-plus win season.

Rob Dahlberg, Todd Rea, Jake DeRoy and Charley Kelley were named to the 2008 Pre-Season All-GSC Team after receiving All-GSC laurels last season for the Tigers. The four are among 23 letterwinners returning for the Red and White this season. Head Coach Gary Rundles’ squad also features 21 new faces, including Itawamba Community College transfers Jeremy Finney and Nick Wheeler and Dyersburg State Community College transfer Adam Patterson, who were listed among the GSC Top Newcomers.

Columbus State enters the contest as the favorite from the Peach Belt Conference, receiving six of the nine first place votes in the conference. CSU is coming off a 2007 season that saw the Cougars advance to the national championship game. CSU returns their entire outfield from last season, including All-Conference player Rodney Rutherford.

CSU will be the first of two opponents from the PBC that the Red and White will host this season at Tartt Field. West Alabama will welcome Georgia Southwestern next weekend to Livingston for a four-game series, stretching over three days.

West Alabama hosts #2 Columbus State with a 2 p.m. first pitch on Friday with Saturday and Sunday contests scheduled for 12 p.m. starts. The game can be followed via live stats at athletics.uwa.edu.