Continuing a recent trend across programs, McNeese State’s softball team is getting a boost from the return of a local standout player.

The Cowgirls signed Arkansas transfer and former Barbe High star Nyjah Fontenot today.

In 2022, Fontenot was a star outfielder at Barbe, where the Louisiana Sports Writers Association named her to the Class 5A All-State team. As a senior Fontenot hit .486 with six home runs and 35 runs batted in. She stole 26 bases before signing to play at Arkansas. 

Nationally she was rated the No. 25 player in Extra Inning Softball’s 2022 Extra Elite 100.

As a junior Fontenot hit .535 for the 31-2 Barbe squad, helping the Lady Bucs to a state championship. She finished with a .604 on-base percentage with 11 homers, 62 RBIs and 31 stole bases.

During the state tournament, Fontenot hit .714.

She was named first-team All-American by MaxPreps and was on the National Player of the Year watch list. 

As a freshman, she drove in 31 RBIs and stole 20 bases while hitting .411 at Barbe.

“Nyjah will be able to step right in and help us out,” said McNeese softball coach James Landreneau. “This is a big get for us.”

Landreneau hopes he can finish off a strong recruiting season with a couple more transfers soon.

Fontenot was a medical redshirt in her first year at Arkansas after tearing her ACL just before the start of the 2023 season. She was not cleared until last February, limiting her to four games this past spring. 

Now she will get a chance to restart her career for the Cowgirls. 

In a related story Thursday, Louisiana-Lafayette head softball coach Gerry Glasco announced he was leaving to take the job at Texas Tech in the Big 12. Glasco spent seven seasons at the helm of the Cajuns.

That started rumors of his replacement, which quickly reached Lake Charles. Landreneu said he has not heard from anybody in Lafayette.

“I’m concerned about signing a couple of kids we have had on campus recently and making the McNeese roster the best we can,” Landreneau said. “That’s the only thing on my mind right now and it’s more than enough.”