LAKE CHARLES – McNeese softball looks to open The Evangeline Bank and Trust Invitational II with some familiar faces as former players and coaches will be returning to Joe Miller Field to compete against their alma mater as coaches.
Emily Vincent
2016 graduate Emily Vincent will return to Lake Charles as a pitching coach for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas during the Evangeline Bank and Trust Invitational II. Her McNeese accolades include:
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2016, Vincent led the conference with a 1.51 ERA and ranked third in strikeouts and third in wins.
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McNeese program rankings: second in career triples (12), third in RBI (141), fourth in doubles (43) first in career saves (9) first in single season saves record (5), third in career ERA (2.07)
Following graduation, she played professionally for the Texas Charge. Vincent returned to her alma mater starting her coaching career as a volunteer coach under head coach James Landreneau during the 2018 McNeese season. The following August she joined UNLV and during her first season at UNLV, her pitching staff recorded a 2.39 ERA, its lowest team ERA since 2005. From 2013-2016, Vincent helped the Cowgirls to three Southland Conference regular season titles, one SLC Tournament title and one NCAA Tournament appearance. In December of 2021, Vincent paired with fellow Cowgirl graduate and Olympic athlete Erika Piancastelli to compete in the Natasha Watley Home Run Derby fundraiser.
"I cannot put into words how excited I am to be coming home to McNeese this weekend. McNeese is home to me, I could not be more proud of how the winning culture that I grew up in has continued to make a statement for mid majors. The facilities are top notch and the people are even better. McNeese softball put me through some tough times but also some times that have developed me into the human being I am now. It who be fun playing against some of the girls I coached against, Coach Poole who recruited me to McNeese, and Coach James who coached me.
I might cry when I see my family, my new niece Vivienne that was born earlier this year. Just being around during Mardi Gras is going to give my UNLV team the full Southern Hospitality that makes McNeese unlike any other school and Lake Charles unlike any other place there is in the country.
I want and plan on winning, but GEAUX POKES!"
Natalie Poole
Tenth year Memphis head coach Natalie Poole will also be returning to McNeese for the Evangeline Bank and Trust Invitational II. This will be the first meeting between Memphis and McNeese since the 2015 Cowgirl Classic when the Tigers narrowly beat the Cowgirls 3-2. Following her collegiate athletic career, the 1998 Cowgirl graduate joined the McNeese staff as a graduate assistant in 1998 and served as an assistant coach from 1999-2001. Poole coached seven seasons at Georgia Southern before returning to McNeese in 2009 as the head coach for three years. Her McNeese accolades include:
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All-Southland Conference team three times
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Academic All-American in 1997
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Twice earned All-South regional recognition
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Three-time academic all-district pick and an all-Louisiana choice
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2009 Southland Conference Coach of the Year
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Three straight 30-win seasons, including a school-record 38 wins in 2010
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Two Southland Conference Tournament championship games, winning the tournament title in 2010 and advancing to the NCAA Regional Tournament.
In 2012 she was hired as the head coach at Memphis. With 20 years of head coaching experience, Poole coached former Tiger Ellen Roberts who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Memphis associate head coach Andy Lott who coached the Cowgirls with Poole from 2009-2011 will return to Lake Charles as well. During his time on the McNeese staff, Lott was responsible for coaching the infield and recruiting.
"I am so excited about coming to play at McNeese this weekend. We tried to make it work last year, but weather didn't allow us to get here. We were determined to get here this year. As a former athlete and coach within the program, I will always hold a special place in my heart for McNeese. I truly enjoyed being a student there, competing for the Cowgirls on the field, and then having the honor of coaching and leading the softball program. The people of Lake Charles always made me, both as an athlete and coach, feel valued and supported when I was there.
I am so happy to see how much the facilities have improved since I was a player. We didn't even play in the current location. We had a field where the parking garage currently is. The field did not have lights, storage, a pressbox or bathrooms. Even within even the last 10 years there have been significant changes and that takes hustle and support. It is a true sign of the commitment from the university and community of Lake Charles. They have shown that they want to see the program thrive and understand what it takes to make that happen.
I am a proud alumni and will be forever a Cowgirl. "
