BIRMINGHAM – Four West Alabama softball players have been named to the 2013 All-Gulf South Conference Team. The Tigers have two on the first team and two on the second team.

League coaches voted pitcher Sarah Ray and first baseman Anna Shartzer to the All-GSC First Team, while shortstop Michal Robertson and designated player Tamara Vickers secured second team nods.

“I am proud of all the players selected,” UWA head coach Will Atkinson said. “Each of these student-athletes are well deserving of this honor, and represent our ball club well on and off the field.”

Ray, a junior from Yuma, Ariz., carries a 17-6 record and a 2.57 earned run average into the conference tournament this weekend. She is second in the GSC in wins (17) and leads the league in home runs allowed (2). Ray also ranks among the top five in the GSC in opponents batting average (.263), ERA (2.57) and innings pitched (130.2).

Shartzer leads West Alabama hitters and is seventh in the GSC with a .383 batting average. The junior from Gulf Shores, Ala., leads UWA with 57 hits and is eighth in the conference in doubles with 14. She also has three home runs and 25 runs batted in.

“Even after taking a year off from softball, Anna stepped right back in and was among the league’s top offensive players. She can just flat out hit,” Atkinson said. “Sarah anchored our pitching staff this season, and gave us a chance to win every time she stepped into the circle. She is a great competitor and rarely gets rattled.”

A junior from Northport, Ala., Robertson is batting .348 with nine doubles, four triples and eight home runs, including a walk-off game winner against North Alabama on Saturday. Vickers, a senior from Lawndale, Calif., is batting .336 with eight doubles and nine stolen bases.

“Big Mike (Robertson) has been a solid shortstop throughout the year … a true five-tool player,” Atkinson said. “Tamara embraced her role as our DP this season, and once again, was among the top offensive players on our team.”

The Tigers open GSC Tournament play Friday against West Florida at the Greenbrook Softball Complex in Southhaven, Miss. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The entire listing for the 2013 All-GSC Team can be found at http://www.gscsports.org.