McNeese State takes a step away from conference play tonight to host another streaking softball team when the University of Houston visits at 6 p.m.

The Cougars (23-16) are on a seven-game winning streak.

Houston swept its weekend series at East Carolina, throwing two shutouts and outscoring the Pirates 19-3 in the series.

McNeese (24-15) has won 12 of its past 13 games, winning two of three against Southland rival Southeastern Louisiana this weekend. McNeese swept a Saturday doubleheader, winning 4-0 and 6-3.

McNeese beat the Cougars 8-3 on Feb. 18 in a game at the UH tournament. Ashley Vallejo pitched a complete game for the Cowgirls while Caleigh Cross and Adriana Ramirez drove in three runs each.

Last week, the Cowgirls were led by Jil Poullard, who was named the Southland Conference Hitter of the Week Monday. In six games, Poullard hit .467 and slugged 1.067 with two home runs, five runs scored, seven RBI, five walks as McNeese went 5-1. On the season, Poullard is hitting .389 with 6 home runs and 32 RBI.

Poullard is the third straight winner of the award from McNeese, with outfielder Kendall Talley winning the two previous weeks.

McNeese head coach James Landreau said he’s happy to have a tough midweek game.

“Houston is on fire right now,” he said. “It is an exciting challenge for us. From our standpoint, we love it. It is an opportunity to compete against good teams week in, week out. You don’t have to motivate your people for that, they are motivated.”

Landreneau said he wants to see continued maturity and consistency from his team.

“When we focus on just doing our job, not trying to predict an outcome or force an outcome, we are a pretty good softball team,” he said. “We can’t live on what we’ve done in the past. You’ve gotta have a short-term memory.”

Talley and leadoff hitter Alayis Seneca set the table for Poullard in the weekend series against Southeastern, combining to reach base 9 times in 22 plate appearances with 7 runs scored.

Vallejo (9-6) pitched a complete game shutout in game two of the series while Whitney Tate (7-7) won her fifth straight decision in game three. Shaelyn Sanders (6-1) leads the Cowgirls staff with a 1.99 ERA.

Houston boasts the American Athletic Conference hitter and pitcher of the week. Bethany Busch was named Hitter of the Week after going 3 for 8 with 3 runs and 7 RBI in the sweep of East Carolina. Kenna Wilkey is pitcher of the week after two shutout wins against East Carolina, striking out 16 batters in 13 innings pitched.