LAKE CHARLES—McNeese softball will begin defense of its Southland Conference title this weekend when the Cowgirls host Sam Houston State in a three game Southland Conference opening series this Friday and Saturday.
 
The series will begin with a single game at 6 p.m. Friday and will conclude with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday. Saturday's games have been designated as the Cowgirls strikeout cancer games. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support.
 
Saturday's events will begin with the Parapokes entering the field (weather permitting) at 12:50 p.m.
 
Also on Saturday, a silent auction will take place and all proceeds raised including money made from concession stand sales will go towards the local Ethel Precht Foundation. To help with the cause, for every homerun hit by the Cowgirls, a helmet will be passed throughout the stands for donations.
 
Scheduled to throw out the first pitch will be Annette Digiovanni, mother of Cowgirl catcher Brooke David, Cowgirl left fielder Taylor Schmidt and McNeese assistant sports information director Pam LaFosse.
 
McNeese (13-6) who has won the last two regular season titles, are once again favored to win the title as voted by the league's sports information director's, will enter the series having won four of its last five games, all coming at the Cowgirl Classic last weekend.
 
Senior Lauren Langner has continued to provide offense for the Cowgirls and leads the team with a .426 batting average, 23 hits and has stolen eight of 10 bases. Langner is also tied for a team high with 12 runs scored.
 
Freshman Hailey Drew has also produced at the plate and is second on the team with a .400 average. Drew leads the Cowgirls with 14 RBI and also has picked up 16 hits including three home runs and three doubles.
 
In the circle, junior Emily Vincent leads the staff with a 6-1 record with a 0.94 ERA. Vincent has hurled 37.1 innings with 32 strikeouts and has given up only six runs.
 
Sam Houston State (7-11) was picked to finish third in both preseason polls. The Bearkats snapped a four game losing streak with two wins over Mary Hardin-Baylor on Tuesday.
 
Peyton Webb leads SHSU with a .420 average, 21 hits and has scored 12 runs. Sarah Allison leads the team with six home runs and 20 RBI, and is tied for a team high with 21 hits and 15 runs scored. Allison is second on the team with a .362 batting average.