LAKE CHARLES- McNeese softball, the six-time Southland Conference Tournament and regular season champions, reported to campus Sunday in preparation for the 2019 season. The squad will hold its first team practice this Wednesday at 3 p.m., less than a month away from its season opener, the Cowgirl Classic set for Feb. 7-10.
 
Season tickets are currently on sale for $75 dollars and can be purchased at the Jack Doland Fieldhouse located in front of Cowboy Stadium.  
 
Third year head coach James Landreneau returns 15 letterwinners from a 2018 team that posted its third straight 40-win season (41-21) and second under Landreneau.
 
Of the returnees, four are starters along with its entire pitching staff from last season. Heading the group of returnees is senior outfielder Justyce McClain, a two-time All-Southland Conference and All-Region selection.
 
The Phoenix, Arizona native led McNeese with a .417 hitting percent, 85 hits, 61 runs scored, 204 at bats, and 27 stolen bases as a junior last year. Also returning are juniors Brenique Wright and Alexandria Saldivar.
 
Wright, a native of Moore, Oklahoma, was third on the team with a .525 slugging percent, 41 RBI, nine triples and fifth with 39 hits.
 
The Princeton, Texas native, Saldivar produced a .297 batting average, .469 slugging percent, was fourth on the team with 43 hits and 39 RBI along with six homeruns.
 
McNeese must fill the void left by two time All-American and four-time Southland Conference Player and Hitter of the Year Erika Piancastelli as well as slugger Morgan Catron, and shortstop Hailey Drew.
 
In the circle, the entire pitching staff returns, led by junior Alexsandra Flores. Flores posted a 19-10 overall record with a team low 3.02 ERA and a team high 92 strikeouts as a sophomore.
 
She will be joined in the circle by sophomores Caroline Settle, Amber Coons, and Ashley Koncir Settle posted a 10-7 record while Coons and Koncir both ended their rookie season with a 6-2 record.
 
A tough but competitive schedule awaits the Cowgirls that includes 30 home games. The Cowgirls will take part in two other regular season tournaments besides its own classic. They will return to College Station for the Texas A&M Aggie Classic (Feb. 15-17) and the Oklahoma State/Tulsa Invitational (March 2-3).
 
Besides hosting Samford, Lipscomb, Arkansas, and Campbell in its classic, the Cowgirls will welcome Houston, Austin Peay, UL-Monroe, Baylor, UL-Lafayette, and Southern Miss in non-conference games.
 
The Cowgirls will to Oklahoma, UL-Lafayette, Houston, LSU, and South Alabama in non-conference road games.
 
The Southland Conference schedule has McNeese hosting Incarnate Word, Northwestern State, Central Arkansas, Nicholls and Lamar in a three-game series with SLC road series at Stephen F. Austin, Houston Baptist, Abilene Christian and Southeastern La.
 
Northwestern State will host the 2019 Southland Conference Tournament set for May 7-11.
 
 
IMPORTANT SOFTBALL DATES
Jan. 9- First team practice (3 p.m.)
Jan. 11- Intrasquad Scrimmage (2 p.m.)
              Pitching/Catching Clinic (6-9 p.m.)
Jan. 12-13- Winter Elite Camp (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Jan. 20- Intrasquad Scrimmage (6 p.m.)
Jan. 26- Intrasquad Scrimmage (12 p.m.)
Jan. 27- Intrasquad Scrimmage (4 p.m.)
Feb. 1- Diamond Dinner
Feb. 2- Intrasquad Scrimmage (12 p.m.)
Feb. 7-10 Opening Weekend (Cowgirl Classic/Joe Miller Field)