Softball opens league play

Published 10:04 am Thursday, March 5, 2026

Having already toppled big programs eight times this season, the Cowgirls turn their attention to the Southland Conference.

Winners of the last four regular-season league titles, the Cowgirls begin their quest for five straight Friday when they host Lamar at Joe Miller Field.

Despite playing one of the nation’s toughest mid-major schedules, including 13 games against Power 4 Conference teams, McNeese State posted the best pre-league record in the Southland at 16-7. 

This despite a pitching staff that is still searching for consistency. Lamar enters the 3-game weekend series at 11-10.

“Offensively, they are a big, physical team that can really swing the bats,” said McNeese head coach James Landreneau. “They have some power and have been riding that.

“They will throw a lot of people like us. It is traditionally a tough series with them. They took two of the three games last year.”

The Cowgirls have been riding their league-best offense early on. McNeese leads the Southland in batting average (.327), home runs (26), and runs (153). Half of the league’s Top 10 home run hitters are from McNeese.

Jada Munoz and Rylee Cloud lead that group with five homers each. Maddie Taylor and Nyjah Fontenot are right behind at four, while Corine Poncho is tied for ninth with three.

Fontenot tops McNeese with a .395 average, scoring 22 runs and driving in 21. Cloud is at .281 with 22 RBIs.

“I thought we could do damage one through nine in our lineup,” said Landreneau. “That’s a good thing. It takes pressure off one person when you have that.”

Landreneau also believes his pitching will come around. Freshman Brookelyn Taylor has been the most consistent so far. 

“I think Brookelyn will be fine,” said Landreneau. “She has had a couple of tough games against some good teams, but she is smart, and I think she will figure it out.”