2026 Twisted Vines Bayou Bash
Who: #1 Texas Tech
When: Thursday, Feb. 5 (6 p.m.)
Where: Lake Charles (Cowgirl Diamond)
TV: ESPN+
 
 
LAKE CHARLES—  McNeese softball will open the 2026 season this Thursday, Feb. 5 against the preseason #1 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first game of the Twisted Vines Bayou Bash.  First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Cowgirl Diamond.  The game will stream on ESPN+.
 
There are a limited amount of reserve/general admission tickets available.  Tickets can be purchased at the Jack Doland ticket office until 5 p.m. on gameday.  Tickets will be available for purchase at the field beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
 
The series is tied 3-3 with Texas Tech having won the last two games, both in Lubbock, Texas in 2016, the last time the two teams met.  It will be the third time the two teams meet in Lake Charles with the Cowgirls winning both games (5-4/8 inn.) and 5-0 in 2015.
 
McNeese is coming off a 41-20 overall record and a fourth consecutive Southland Conference regular season title in 2025. 
 
Head coach James Landreneau enters his 10^th as head coach and 14^th overall season at McNeese with a 335-179 career record. Landreneau returns 18 players from 2025 and will have nine newcomers in 2026.
 
Top returners for the Cowgirls include the Southland Conference "Pitcher of the Year" in Maddie Taylor and the SLC "Freshman of the Year" in Kassidy Chance.  Also returning is Jada Muñoz (All-Region), Nyjah Fontenot and Sarah Allen who were members of the All-SLC team last season.
 
Texas Tech is coming off its best season in program history after setting several team records on its way to a national runner-up finish in the WCWS under first year head coach Gerry Glasco.  The Red Raider finished with a 54-14 overall record and 20-4 Big 12 record, winning their first Big 12 regular season and postseason title in program history.
 
In the circle, the Red Raider have the best pitcher in the country in senior NiJaree Canady who finished last season with 34 wins, the most in the nation.  Canaday picked up several awards last season including first team All-American, NFCA Pitcher of the Year, and was a top three finalist for Player of the Year.  Also returning are All-Americans Mia Williams, Taylor Pannell and Jasmyn Berns.
 
For the second straight season Glasco has put together the No. 1 recruiting class in the country.
 
The Twisted Vines Bayou Bash will continue through Sunday.
 
 
2026 Twisted Vines Bayou Bash Schedule
THURSDAY, FEB. 5
6 p.m. McNeese vs. #1 Texas Tech
 
FRIDAY, FEB. 6
11a.m. #1 Texas Tech vs. North Texas
1:30 p.m. #1 Texas Tech vs. UL-Monroe
4 p.m. McNeese vs. North Texas (ESPN+)
6 p.m. McNeese vs. UL-Monroe (ESPN+)
 
SATURDAY, FEB. 7
1 p.m. McNeese vs. Tulsa (ESPN+)
3:30 p.m. Tulsa vs. UL-Monroe
6 p.m. McNeese vs. UL-Monroe (ESPN+)
 
SUNDAY, FEB. 8
1 p.m. UL-Monroe vs. North Texas
 
ONLY McNeese games will stream on ESPN+