LAKE CHARLES—McNeese softball will look to remain undefeated in conference play this weekend in a three-game SLC series at Abilene Christian. The series will begin with a 4 p.m. doubleheader Friday and will conclude with a single game at noon Saturday.
Live streaming and live stats links can be found on the softball page by going to mcneesesports.com.
McNeese (23-11, 9-0 SLC) will look to snap a two game losing streak after having loss 3-0 to #6 Oklahoma on Sunday and a 4-3 loss at Texas State Wednesday night.
The Cowgirls are one of four teams undefeated in conference play heading into the weekend. Central Arkansas and Lamar are also 9-0 and Northwestern State is 8-0.
McNeese enters the weekend with the top pitching staff in the league that has a 0.97 ERA and has held opponents to a .210 batting average in conference games only. The Cowgirls have the second best batting average (.362) behind Northwestern State's .389 average.
Sophomore
Rachel Smith is ranked as the top pitcher in the conference with a 0.00 ERA and is undefeated in conference games with a 3-0 record. The Baytown, Texas native is holding opponents to a .177 batting average in 21 innings pitched. She has allowed 14 hits and has struck out 19 for an average of 6.33 strikeouts per seven innings.
Junior
Jamie Allred and
Emily Vincent also rank among the pitching leaders. Allred ranks fifth in the conference and is also 3-0 in league games with a 1.50 ERA in 18.2 innings pitched. Vincent also boasts a 3-0 conference record and ranks seventh with a 1.53 ERA in 18.1 innings of work.
Freshman
Erika Piancastelli leads the SLC with six home runs is second in the league with a .609 batting average in conference games only. The native of Carlsbad, California also leads the SLC with a 1.522 slugging percent and a .690 on base percent. She is also tied for third with 14 RBI.
ACU (5-22, 1-8 SLC) is coming off a 14-0 home loss to Texas Arlington Wednesday night.
The Wildcats' only conference win came in a 12-7 home win over Southeastern La. in the first week of conference play.
Peyton Hedrick leads the team with a .447 batting average, 38 hits, nine doubles and 18 RBI. Emily Seidel leads the pitching staff with a 3-17 record and a 5.54 ERA.
