LAKE CHARLES—McNeese softball will open Southland Conference play where they have played all their games so far this season—on the road.
McNeese will travel to Huntsville, Texas this weekend for its SLC opening weekend. A single game at 6:30 p.m. Friday night will open the series. The series will conclude with a double header Saturday at 3 p.m.
The Cowgirls (13-5) were picked to finish second behind Northwestern State in both the coaches and sports information directors in the SLC preseason polls.
McNeese should be used to playing on the road by now. The Cowgirls have played every game up to this point away from home. Its home opener that was scheduled for Wednesday was postponed due to the threat of rain.
The Cowgirls are coming off a 3-2 showing at the Texas Tech Invitational last weekend. McNeese has seven players batting .300 or better. Sophomore
Erika Piancastelli continues to lead the team with a .389 batting average, 21 hits, six home runs and is tied for a team high 12 RBI. Piancastelli has also been walked a team high 13 times.
Junior
Marisa Taunton is second on the team with a .388 average, 19 hits, four doubles, 10 RBI and nine stolen bases. Also batting over .300 is freshman
Justyce McClain (.333),
Hailey Drew (.326),
Taylor Schmidt (.310),
Tori Yanitor (.300), and
Rachel Smith (.308).
The Cowgirl pitching staff has done a tremendous job in the non-conference schedule. As a staff, McNeese has a team 2.79 ERA. Seniors
Jamie Allred and
Emily Vincent have a combined 9-2 record. Allred enters the weekend with a 5-1 record with a 2.26 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Vincent is 4-1 with a 1.79 ERA and 45 strikeouts.
Sam Houston State (5-12) picked to finish 10
th in the SLC preseason polls, have lost their last three games. The Bearkats are 2-2 at home this season with their wins coming over Prairie View.
Dani Allen is leading SHSU with a .400 average, 18 hits, 11 runs scored and six stolen bases. Lindsey McLeod leads the pitching staff with a 3-2 record and a 3.60 ERA.
