LAKE CHARLES – McNeese head softball coach James Landreneau has announced the addition of former Arizona standout pitcher and Athletes Unlimited pitcher Alyssa Denham to the staff for the 2022 season.
As a Graduate Assistant, Denham will pursue her Master's in Health and Human Performance with aspirations to be a collegiate softball coach.
"I am so thrilled to be a part of McNeese softball. I cannot wait to learn from this amazing coaching staff. They have so much knowledge and experience, they work extremely hard, and they are such great people. They have made me feel right at home the last couple days."
With three McNeese softball alumni sisters, Stephenie (2001-03), Jessica (2003-06) and Tiffany (2009-12), Alyssa is no stranger to the program.
"I am excited to be in the Lake Charles community," she said, "it is a special place to my family."
"Alyssa will be a great addition to our program," Landreneau said. "To have someone with such a decorated college career and a current professional career is a blessing. She is a passionate person with an outstanding work ethic which will be infectious for our staff and players. We are honored to have another Denham at McNeese."
Denham's collegiate softball career opened with an impressive freshman year at the UL-Lafyette where she recorded 80 strikeouts with a 2.27 ERA.
The Alvin, Texas native spent one season as member of the Ragin' Cajuns, Denham was a NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 Finalist, Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, All-Sun Belt (1st team), Louisiana Sports Writers Association Freshman of the Year, All-Louisiana Honorable Mention and USA Softball National Pitcher of the Week as a rookie in 2017.
Denham then transferred to the University of Arizona where she played from 2018-2021.
The 2021 NFCA All-American is a three-time all-Pac-12 selection who made 93 appearances as a Wildcat, posting a 52-18 record and sub-2.00 ERAs in all four seasons and recorded three no-hitters, the first UA pitcher to throw multiple solo no-hitters since Kenzie Fowler (2010-14). In her final season at UA, Denham ranked third in the Pac-12 and 20th in the NCAA with seven shutouts.
She ended her UA career ranked ninth in Wildcat history in ERA (1.92) and helped the Wildcats to the 2019 and 2021 Women's College World Series.
Following graduation, Denham spent the summer of 2021 as a member of Athletes Unlimited where she saw action in eight games. Denham was the starting pitcher for the 19th game of the season. Her game-winning performance raised her from 35th to 15th place on the leaderboard.
"It was truly amazing to meet all the different athletes from all over the country. Athletes Unlimited has given our sport a platform to grow and expand after our college careers. I learned so much knowledge from everyone there. I am super excited that I have signed my contract to go to Athletes Unlimited AUX and season 3 Athletes Unlimited this summer."
The team will report back to campus next Monday, Jan.10 for the start of classes and the 2022 season. The Cowgirls will open their season Feb. 11 in the first of two home tournaments. McNeese will face Texas Southern on the first day of the Cowgirl Classic.
