After a few months in the real world, Toni Perrin realized the 9-to-5 life wasn’t for her. It didn’t take long before she was back at McNeese, preparing for the “super senior” season she initially passed on before realizing how much she missed softball.

Perrin is taking advantage of an NCAA rule granting athletes from the 2020 season an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID pandemic, which resulted in the cancellation of softball less than midway though the season.

After a rough senior season off the field, Perrin initially declined the extra year, but later changed her mind.

“After I was done, I went on to get my insurance license and was selling that, sitting behind a desk from 9 to 5,” she said.

“It really wasn’t for me. It was so hard to be behind the desk, I hated it. I talked to Coach (James Landreneau) in November and asked if he would take me back on the team. He said he would and three weeks later I was back, doing my workouts and getting enrolled.”

Perrin said she is bringing a new attitude to her final season.

“I think I am in a very healthy mental state, I have never been more committed, more involved, more excited about a season or being part of a team,” she said.

“I had a hard senior season last year. In 2020 our season got canceled and my dad passed away that year. Coming back from that was hard for me, to get over the grief. It did not transition to softball at all. I was unhealthy, malnourished, heavier than I was supposed to be and in a bad mental state. There has been a drastic change. Now I am happier and healthier. It is like a whole new me.”

Perrin said she is making sure to enjoy every minute of her final season. Last season Perrin was named to the Southland Conference All-Tournament Team and the Commissioner’s Honor Roll. She led the Cowgirls with 28 stolen bases, tied for a team-high with two triples, and was second on the team with a .317 batting average.

“There’s no way I can come back again, so I am taking every moment that I have and running with it, not taking anything for granted,” she said. “I’m just putting my heart and soul into everything.”

Leadership is also coming easier to Perrin this time around.

“After being off the team for a few months and looking at it from the outside, it is easier to focus on my team than last year,” she said.

“I want to teach the younger girls that it really is a process for everyone. You have to trust it, grind it out. It is different for everyone, we each have our own story to write. I wish I could just team them to trust coach and trust themselves to him, because his process really does work.”

Perrin said a pair of former Cowgirls helped her adjust to college life.

“Aubrey Tuberville was my best friend and roommate, she really helped me on the mental side of the game,” she said.

“She was great at calming me down, she knew what to say to prevent me from becoming a hothead. Hailey Drew helped me a lot, too. When I had a bad day or didn’t know what was going on, I could go talk to them and they would give me the best advice about navigating my way through softball.”

Perrin said her time at McNeese has led to growth on and off the field.

“When I came on my visit, I liked the culture here and the outlook on school and life,” she said. “Coach told me he would develop me as a player and as a person. That stuck with me, that I would become a better person out of this, and I really have. It has been an incredible journey. I have grown in terms of my perspective on viewing situations, not just having a victim’s mentality. Really being grateful for every single day and thing. He has taught me to find the best in all situations. If something goes bad, how can I learn from that situation?

“As a player, I have learned to trust the process. It is a long, hard and tiring process, but if you stick with it you will end up seeing great results and success. It took me a few months to get on board with everything. It was a hard transition from not being coached much to coming here and him being so strict, stern and structured. Eventually you just throw in the towel and trust him. He has your best interests and has developed some of the best players so you just let it go and see where it goes for you.”

Perrin has a few goals on and off the field this season.

“I want to win the conference and win a regional,” she said. “I want to be a positive example for my teammates and show them that there is so much more to yourself than softball. You can’t let that be your whole identity. You have to work on your mental health and who you are as a person.”