In search of more power heading into next season, the McNeese State softball team signed the high school national leader in home runs, Corine Poncho of Notre Dame. Poncho is also this year’s Miss Softball, the state’s most valuable player.

Poncho led Notre Dame to a fourth straight Division III state championship, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 71 runs. She is one of five new Cowgirls signings.

Each of the other four signees are transfers from Division I schools.

Outfielder Kiley DeHart is a Barbe graduate who signed with UL-Monroe but did not appear in a game for the Warhawks last season. As a senior at Barbe, she helped the Bucs win a state championship by hitting .610 with 66 runs and 53 stolen bases.

Each of the remaining three transfers — infielder/catcher Rylie Bouvier (Baylor), infielder Mariana Torres (Texas A&M) and catcher Emily Phillips (James Madison) has postseason experience in college.

Phillips was a member of the 2021 James Madison team that advanced to the College World Series. Last season she appeared in 41 games and had 10 home runs, 22 runs scored and 28 RBI.

Torres spent the last two years at Texas A&M where she played in 67 games, hitting .122 with 14 runs and seven RBI.

Bouvier played at Baylor for one season, appearing in five games and collecting one hit, seven runs, four walks and one stolen base. The Sante Fe, Texas, native will be reunited with high school teammate Reese Reyna, a sophomore Cowgirl infielder.

“We are excited with our late roster adds for the 2023 season,” said head coach James Landreneau.

“We were able to add athleticism, offensive power, and valuable postseason experience. We are fortunate to add such talented athletes to our team, but we also know that we have added great people that want to be at McNeese.

“Riley is an athletic middle infielder and catcher that hits from the left side. Riley is a pure hitter with a great understanding of both offense and defense. Torres is a plus defender with great instinct. She has experience at all infield positions and is currently having a great summer season in the Gulf Coast league.

“Phillips is a catcher/outfielder with a high softball IQ. She will add power to our line up as well as leadership and experience to our team.

“DeHart is a local product out of Barbe High School. Kylie is a rangy outfielder with plus speed and great barrel control. Poncho is coming off a stellar high school season where she led the nation in home runs and helped lead Notre Dame High School to back-to-back state titles. She is a versatile defender with plus arm strength and power at the plate.”