LAKE CHARLES—McNeese softball head coach James Landreneau has announced the signing of eight student-athletes for the 2027 season.
 
Among the signees is former Sulphur High standout Payton Prince (LSUE) along with Grace Brewer (Lake Creek High), Laney Galloway (Lake Creek High), Presley Alainz (Clear Falls High), Isabella Estrada (East Central High), Jordyn Thibodeaux (Calallen High), Kiette Cooper (Jena High), Bella Dzialo (The Woodlands College Park High).
 
"We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding 2026 signing class to our McNeese family," said head coach James Landreneau. "These student-athletes are not only proven winners with big-game experience, but they also bring elite athleticism and versatility that will strengthen every part of our roster. They will be a tremendous fit for our school and community, embodying the character, work ethic, and competitive spirit that define McNeese Softball. We are excited about the future and cannot wait to get them on campus.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Payton Prince, Kiette Cooper, Jordyn Thibodeaux, Laney Galloway, Presley Alaniz, Bella Dzialo, Gracee Brewer and Isabella Estrada to our program. Each of these athletes brings unique skill sets, versatility, and a competitive edge that will elevate our team. Their commitment to excellence on and off the field reflects the core values of McNeese Softball, and we cannot wait to see them compete as a Poke."
 
PAYTON PRINCE, OF, Sulphur, La., (Sulphur High/LSUE)
At Sulphur High
• All-District (Junior and senior)
 
At LSUE
• All-South Region (1^st team/2025)
• All-American (2^nd team/2025)
• All-Louisiana (Honorable Mention/2025)
• Academic All-American (2024)
• Had a .387 batting average, 58 hits, 44 RBI (2025)
• 13 homeruns in 2025 (ranked 11th in LSUE single season history)
• Second most stolen bases (49) in a single season in LSUE history where she ranked 10th nationally (2025)
 
GRACE BREWER, OF, Montgomery, Texas (Lake Creek High)
• UIL 5A State Champions (2023, 2025)
• Two-time All-District (1^st team/2024, 2025)
• NFCA All-Region (2nd Team/2024)
• NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete (2024)
• All-State (2025)
•Two-time TSWA All-State
• UIL State All-Tournament Team (2025)
• THSCA Super Elite Team (2025)
• All Greater Houston (1^st team-2025)
• Three-time Academic All-District
 
LANEY GALLOWAY, IF, Montgomery, Texas (Lake Creek High)
• Two-time member of 5A State Championship team
• All-District (1^st team/2025)
• UIL State Tournament Team (2025)
• NHS member
• Academic All-District (2025)
 
PRESLEY ALAINZ, P, League City, Texas (Clear Falls High)
• Three-time 24-6A All-District
• Two- time Clear Falls Team MVP
• Two-time All-Galveston County (2023, 2024)
• Offensive Team MVP (2024-25)
• Three-time A/B Academic Honor Roll
 
ISABELLA ESTRADA, IF, San Antonio, Texas (East Central High)
• Three-time All-District
• Three-time 6A Elite Eight Regional Finalist
• Newcomer Of The Year
• Postseason ECSB NewBee
• Postseason Offensive Standout
• Three-time Academic All District
 
JORDAN THIBODEAUX, P, Corpus Christi, Texas (Calallen High)
• Member of three-time 4A DI State Champs
• Three-time UIL 4A State Tournament All-Tournament Team
• UIL 4A State Tournament MVP (2024)
• Three-time TGCA All-State
• TGCA 4A All-State (2025)
• THSCA Super Elite Class 4A, Pitcher of the Year (2023, 2025)
• THSCA Super Elite Class 4A, Offensive Player of the Year (2024)
• Texas Sports Writers Association 4A Most Valuable Player (2025)
• Texas Sports Writers Association Player of the Year (2024)
• Three-time Texas Sports Writers Association All-State
• Three-time NFCA All-Region, Region VI
• Two-time NFCA All-Region, All-Americans High School
• Max Preps All-American (Honorable Mention/2025)
• All-District 31-4A Defensive Player of the Year (2025)
• Corpus Christi Sports Commission Hall of Fame finalist (2025)
• All-Distract 31-4A Co-Defensive Player of the Year (2024)
• All Distract 31-4A (1st/2023)
• Three-time All Distract 31-4A All Academic
• Three-time Caller-Times All-South Texas Softball
• SB Live 2023, Newcomer of the Year (2023)
Also played Volleyball
• Member of the Bi-District Championship team and quarterfinal champs
• District 31-4A Blocker of the Year (2023)
• District 31-4A Co-Blocker of the Year (2022)
• Two-time Distract 31-4A All-Academic
 
KIETTE COOPER, P, Jena, La. (Jena High)
• 2-3A All-District (1^st team)
• Team MVP
• District MVP
• Class 2-3A MVP
• Louisiana Softball Coaches Association Class 3A All-State Team (Utility/2023)
• LSWA 2023 Class 3A Softball Team (Utility 2023)
• SB Live Louisiana All-State Softball Team (Utility)
• LSWA Class 3A All-State Pitcher
• All-CENLA (Pitcher/1^st team)
• Louisiana High School on SI All-State softball team (Pitcher)
• Bayou Jamb "Defensive Player of the Year"
 
BELLA DZIALO, C, The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands College Park High)
• Three-time 15-6A All-District
• 6A All-State (Utility/2025)
• Two-time Offensive Player of the Year
 
2027 McNeese Softball Signees
Payton Prince, OF, Sulphur, La., (Sulphur High/LSUE)
Grace Brewer, OF, Montgomery, Texas (Lake Creek High)
Laney Galloway, IF, Montgomery, Texas (Lake Creek High)
Presley Alainz, P, League City, Texas (Clear Falls High)
Isabella Estrada, IF, San Antonio, Texas (East Central High)
Jordan Thibodeaux, P, Corpus Christi, Texas (Calallen High)
Kiette Cooper, P, Jena, La. (Jena High)
Bella Dzialo, C, The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands College Park High)