McNeese State opens a new softball season this weekend with the Cowgirl Classic.

The Cowgirls, the reigning Southland Conference champions who went 40-21 last season, will play twice today, against Idaho State at 5:30 p.m. and against Texas Southern at 8 p.m.

The tournament field also includes Alabama-Birmingham and Central Arkansas. McNeese will play five games over three days.

Head coach James Landreneau said he’s excited to see the Cowgirls in competitive games.

“How are kids going to perform under pressure and in game situations? Are we going to be consistent? How are we going to handle adverse situations, tough situations? I want to see if we are mentally mature,” he said. “We think we are, but you never know until you get into game situations.”

Landreneau said he expects to use as many as 20 players this weekend.

“We will see all five pitchers this weekend,” he said. “Ashley Vallejo was the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year. Whitney Tate has been outstanding, as well as Shaelyn Sanders. We have two freshmen, Lindsay Davis and Ryann Schexnayder. Schexnayder has really come on since January. She looks lights out; a left-handed spin pitcher that brings a whole new dimension to the staff.”

The lineup will feature several new faces.

“I love the way Emily Phillips, a transfer from James Madison, has played behind the plate,” Landreneau said.

Phillips was a freshman on JMU’s 2021 Women’s College World Series team that finished 41-4. “She has been outstanding in the field and brings calmness to our pitching staff,” Landreneau said.

“(Freshman) Corrine Poncho has been lights out. The ball jumps off her bat and she is able to play different positions. She can slash, bunt, hit for power.

“Erin Ardoin is going to be in the opening-day lineup. She has worked real hard on her game and skill set. We knew she was a great athlete and in the past few months she has become a skilled player. She has a ton of speed and versatility in the outfield.”

Landreneau said he wants to see his team’s approach to game situations.

“If I can walk away and feel that our team competed every single pitch, that is what we are looking for,” he said.

“Obviously we all want wins, but at the end of the day we don’t have that much control over that. If I can know that our team didn’t give away at-bats, that our pitchers competed every pitch, then I think we’ll be set up for success.”

Schedule

Friday

Alabama-Birmingham (0-0) vs. Central Arkansas (0-0), 10 a.m.

Idaho St. (0-0) vs. Central Arkansas, 12:30 p.m.

Texas Southern (0-0) vs. Alabama-Birmingham, 3 p.m.

Idaho St. vs. McNeese St. (0-0), 5:30 p.m.

Texas Southern vs. McNeese St., 8 p.m.

Saturday

Idaho St. vs. Alabama-Birmingham, 10 a.m.

Texas Southern vs. Idaho St., 12:30 p.m.

Alabama-Birmingham vs. Central Arkansas, 3 p.m.

Texas Southern vs. McNeese St., 5:30 p.m.

Central Arkansas vs. McNeese St., 8 p.m.

Sunday

Texas Southern vs. Idaho St., 10 a.m.

Alabama-Birmingham vs. McNeese St., 12:30 p.m.