The McNeese State softball season starts tonight with a young Cowgirls team hosting the Evangeline Bank and Trust Invitational, a three-day event which will also feature North Texas, Texas Southern, Tulsa and Alabama-Birmingham.

The Cowgirls play Texas Southern at 6 p.m. today.

McNeese is coming off a 35-26 season that included a Southland Conference Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, in which the Cowgirls went 1-2. Key returnees include outfielders Kaylee Lopez (.409, 22 RBIs), Toni Perrin (.317, 28 SB) and Alayis Seneca (.307, 8 SB), pitchers Whitney Tate (14-8, 2.68 ERA) and Ashley Vallejo (7-7, 3.67 ERA), catcher Chloe Gomez (.279, 21 RBIs) and infielder Jil Poullard (.280, 21 SB).

The infield will have a new look, led by Poullard, who moves from right field to third base.

“You’re going to see a lot of people move around,” Cowgirls head coach James Landreneau said.

“Poullard is doing an outstanding job,” he said. “Josie Willingham, a transfer from Tennessee, is getting the majority of the reps at shortstop. Caleigh Cross has been here longest and we will count on her a lot. She is out this weekend due to COVID protocols.

“Freshman Reese Reina has been playing pretty well and will be at second base this weekend. At first we have returnee Tiffany Steczo, who will see some action, along with Kennedy Reynolds and freshman Crislyne Marino, a physical player who will see some utility action this year. She can also play middle infield and outfield.”

Outfield and catcher are the spots where the Cowgirls have the most experience, Landreneau said.

“Having Perrin back in center field is big for us,” he said. “She is an explosive player, she can steal bases, hit for power and hit for average. Her veteran leadership is crucial.

“Alayis is coming off an all-conference year and will split time with Padyn Williams in right field. Lopez and (Louisiana-Lafayette transfer) Kendall Talley will handle left. Lopez led the team in batting last year and Talley shone in the Sun Belt last year, hitting .350. She’s a valuable asset as well. We have a lot of depth and can really swing in the outfield.”

Landreneau said sophomore Chloe Gomez and senior Gracie Devall will split time behind the plate.

“Devall is a great defensive catcher and had a good fall camp offensively,” he said. “Gomez is reliable offensively; she is clutch and proven in timely situations.”

Landreneau said the pitching staff has been in good form.

“Over the past few weeks the pitchers have made a lot of strides,” he said.

“Tate is back, that is a great asset to our bullpen. We’ll have four pitchers available. You’ll see Vallejo, Tate, Shaelyn Sanders and Olivia Johnson. Johnson and Sanders have different styles. Johnson can change speeds in any count and can go up in the zone as well. Sanders goes up and down well. They are both strike-throwers. Best thing about them is that they have really settled into the system and are focused. They have been really aggressive.”

Landreneau said he is hoping to see the team develop consistency over the next few weeks.

“On the offensive side, we can move around well and have good depth in the lineup,” he said. “We just need innings and times together. There’s a lot of want-to on this team, they want to compete at a high level. They are a tough team, very resilient. I hope that carries us through the process of getting innings under our belt.

“We have to develop consistency and this tournament has a good field that will challenge us to play our best every day.”