LAKE CHARLES- For the third consecutive weekend, McNeese softball will take part in a tournament but this weekend it will be their own, the Cowgirl Classic which is set to begin Thursday night.

The tournament was originally schedule to begin Friday but with Drake being added to the tournament field Tuesday, the tournament will get underway Thursday with the Cowgirls taking on the Bulldogs in a single game beginning at 7 p.m.

Joining McNeese and Drake for the tournament will be Texas Tech, Memphis and Holy Cross who is coached by former McNeese head coach Natalie Poole.

McNeese (9-5) has won four of its last seven games and are coming off an 11-3 (5 inn.) loss at no. 6 UL-Lafayette on Sunday.

Senior outfielder Lauren Langner continues to swing a hot bat and is leading the Cowgirls with a .463 average and 19 hits.

Junior outfielder and pitcher Emily Vincent also has 41 hits on the season and has scored 10 runs. In the circle, Vincent is 4-1 on the year with a team low 1.24 ERA in 28.1 innings.

Freshman second baseman Hailey Drew leads the Cowgirls with 10 RBI, 10 walks and three home runs. Drew is second on the team with a .379 batting average.

Freshman catcher Erika Piancastelli is also batting over .300 with a .310 average. Piancastelli has 13 hits and leads the Cowgirls with six doubles.

Drake will enter the contest with a 6-5 record and is coming off a 3-2 record at the Hillenbrand Invitational.

Rebekah Schmidt leads the Bulldogs with a .412 average and a .647 slugging percent. Nicole Newman has a 3-1 record with a 2.55 ERA in the circle.

Texas Tech (9-6) has won its last four games and captured the UTA Invitational last weekend. The Red Raiders are led by Jordan Bettiol's .500 average with 24 hits and seven RBI.

Memphis (3-7) is led by Kyler Trosclair's .370 average. Trosclair has 10 hits and has scored four runs this season.

This will be the season opener for Holy Cross.

Other tournament games for the McNeese will have the Cowgirls facing Texas Tech at 6 p.m. Friday and then again at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Cowgirls will also play Memphis at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Cowgirls won't play on Sunday but will conclude tournament play with a 6 p.m. game against Holy Cross on Monday.

Season ticket holders will be able to use their tickets for Cowgirl Classic Day 1, 2, and 3 for Friday-Sunday games. Single day tickets are available through the McNeese Ticket Office. Tickets for Friday and Sunday are $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4-12), Saturday will be $15 for adults and $7 for children. Three-day passes are available for Friday-Sunday for $25 for adults and $15 for children. Admission will be free for all fans for Thursday night's game versus Drake. Monday's game between McNeese and Holy Cross will still be played as previously scheduled.
 
For any questions, or for more ticket information, please contact the McNeese Ticket Office at 562-4MSU.
 
2015 COWGIRL CLASSIC SCHEDULE

Thursday, Feb. 26
7 p.m.- McNeese vs. Drake
 
Friday, Feb. 27
12 p.m.- Drake vs. Texas Tech
3 p.m.- Drake vs. Memphis
6 p.m.- McNeese vs. Texas Tech

Saturday, Feb. 28
12 p.m.- Memphis vs. Texas Tech
3 p.m.- McNeese vs. Texas Tech
6 p.m.- McNeese vs. Memphis
 
Sunday, March 1
10 a.m.- Texas Tech vs. Holy Cross
1 p.m.- Memphis vs. Holy Cross
 
Monday, March 2
6 p.m.- McNeese vs. Holy Cross