LAKE CHARLES—Heading into the final regular season Southland Conference series at Central Arkansas this weekend, McNeese softball still has a chance to claim its third consecutive regular season title if everything falls into place.
The series is scheduled for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a single game at 11 a.m. Sunday.
McNeese (33-18, 18-5 SLC) enters the series in second place behind first place Northwestern State (31-15, 20-2 SLC) and ahead of third place UCA (31-16, 16-5 SLC).
A sweep by McNeese over UCA coupled with a Southeastern La. sweep over Northwestern State would give the Cowgirls the regular season title. The top two teams will earn a first round bye in next week's Southland Conference Tournament which is slated for Wednesday through Friday in Natchitoches. In order for the Cowgirls to earn the second seed, they must win two of three games this weekend.
After its sweep over Lamar last weekend, McNeese is riding a seven game winning streak, currently the longest in the conference.
Not only are the Cowgirls attempting to win its third straight regular season title, but several Cowgirls are on the verge of breaking a few individual records.
Freshman
Erika Piancastelli recently broke the single season home run record against Southeastern La. two weeks ago. Piancastelli is also closing in on the season RBI record of 58 held by Heather Moreaux. Piancastelli currently leads the SLC with 52 RBI as well as home runs (18), runs scored (44), doubles (16), total bases (132), on base percent (.545), slugging percent (.923) and is second with a .545 batting average, and third with 62 hits.
Senior outfielder
Lauren Langner has 224 career hits, four shy of breaking the record of 227 held by former outfielder Claire Terracina. Langner is also three sacrifice hits away from breaking that career record. Langner has 30 career sacrifice hits heading into the weekend. Liz Morvant holds the record of 32. Langner also leads the team with 21 stolen bases and is second with a .388 batting average.
Freshman
Hailey Drew leads the Cowgirls with 37 walks and is 11 away from setting a new single season record.
Alanna DiVittorio set a new record with 47 last season.
Junior
Emily Vincent who is 12-5 on the season with a 1.93 ERA, 109 innings pitched and 98 strikeouts leads the pitching staff. Vincent's 1.93 ERA ranks her second in the SLC.
Sophomore
Rachel Smith is 11-5 on the year with a 2.97 ERA and has 83 strikeouts. Smith has won four of her last six games.
The Cowgirls will go against one of the top pitchers in the league in UCA's Kylee Studioso. The senior has handled the bulk of the pitching duties for UCA all season and has won a conference best with 24 games (24-10). She also has 12-4 conference record. Studioso has thrown a league high 194.0 innings and leads the SLC with 228 strikeouts, seven shutouts and 26 complete games.
At the plate, UCA has four players batting over .300. Sam Forrest has a team best .357 average with 55 hits and 12 doubles.
Jessie Taylor leads UCA with 10 home runs, 49 RBI, and a .622 slugging percent.
