LAKE CHARLES—McNeese softball will play its next four games in the state of Texas beginning with its Wednesday midweek game at the University of Houston. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
 
The Cowgirls will return to Southland Conference play on the weekend with a three-game series at Houston Baptist beginning with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Friday afternoon. The series will conclude with a single game at noon Saturday.
 
 
McNeese (15-18, 6-3 SLC) will look to avenge a 7-2 loss to the Cougars (23-9) in Lake Charles over a month ago. The Cougars have won the last two meetings including a 5-4, nine-inning win in Lake Charles in the only meeting in 2018. McNeese swept Houston in 2017 with a 5-4, eight -inning win in Lake Charles and a 1-0 win in Houston.
 
The Cowgirls are led by senior Justyce McClain, who moved into second place in McNeese career hits over the weekend against NW State. McClain is currently batting .400 with a team high 42 hits and is second on the team with 15 stolen bases and 13 walks.
 
Junior Cori McCrary leads the team with 17 RBI, three home runs, and 16 stolen bases. McCrary is second with a .330 batting average, 33 hits, six doubles, and 17 runs.
 
McNeese has utilized five different pitchers since Ashley Koncir returned from an injury. Freshman Saleen Flores (1-3) has appeared in 17 games and currently leads the pitching staff with a 1.37 ERA. Saleen picked up her first collegiate win against NW State over the weekend. In 46.0 inning, Saleen has struck out 31.
 
Sophomore Amber Coons (3-2) has a 1.75 ERA in 48 innings along with 33 strikeouts. Sophomore Caroline Settle (4-5) has a 3.20 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 54.2 innings, and junior Alexsandra Flores (7-8) has a 3.68 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 78.0 innings.
 
Houston is coming off an American Conference series win over Wichita State where they took two of three games.
 
Three Cougars are batting over .300 with Lindsey Stewart leading the way with a .396 average, 38 hits, and 23 RBI. Arielle James is batting .379 with 33 hits, a team high 12 doubles and 22 runs. Savannah Heebner is batting .321 with 18 hits and 11 RBI.
 
Houston has also used several pitchers this season with Presely Bell (7-1) leading the team with a 0.80 ERA, 37 strikeouts in 52.2 innings. Trystan Melancon (6-1) has a 1.38 ERA in 45.2 innings with 42 strikeouts.
 
Heebner is 7-6 with a 1.90 ERA and leads the staff with 67 strikeouts and 84.2 innings.