Homestand continues tonight, Cowgirls pass stress test of Top 25 stretch
Published 8:17 am Wednesday, February 21, 2024
- McNeese’s State Corine Poncho makes a catch at first base for an out against Idaho State in the Cowgirls 2023 season opener at Cowgirl Diamond as part of the annual Cowgirl Classic. (Kirk Meche / American Press file photo)
The Cowgirls continue their season-opening 14-game homestand tonight with a game against Boise State.
The first pitch at Cowgirl Diamond is set for 6 p.m.
McNeese State (6-4) is coming off a weekend when they lost twice to No. 1 Oklahoma in front of sellout crowds.
“It was a great weekend and our fans really came out and supported softball,” said McNeese head coach James Landreneau. “It was a regional-type atmosphere.”
Still a fairly young team, the Cowgirls hope to learn from playing tough competition.
“I think it is important to put us in those stressful situations so we can know what to do later when they come up again in games,” Landreneau said.
Boise State presents more stiff competition, he said. The Broncos improved to 8-2 after knocking off Texas-Arlington 6-0 Monday.
“They are going to be very well coached and can really hit the ball,” Landreneau said of Boise. “They will be another good test for us.”
Of McNeese’s four losses, three have come against Top 25 teams with all being from Power Five conferences. The Broncos received votes in this week’s Top 25 poll.
Boise State has a 3-0 record all-time against the Cowgirls. It swept a three-game series over McNeese in 2022 in Lake Charles.
Freshman outfielder Sophia Knight leads the Broncos with a .500 batting average. The outfielder is 18-for-36.
Sophomore Sydney Groves provides the power for Boise State. The infielder has hit five home runs and driven in 15 in the early going with a .393 average.
McNeese has its own power source in Corine Poncho, who has hit six homers. She has driven in seven runs.
Poncho is hitting at a .480 clip with 14 runs scored while slugging 1.124 on 12 hits.
Getting more people on base in front of the slugging sophomore is key for the Cowgirls.
“We want to find some folks who get on base and put pressure on the defense,” Landreneau said.
With that in mind, Landreneau moved Samantha Mundine to the second spot in the batting order. Mundine, a true freshman, is hitting .421 with a team-high 10 RBIs. Senior Emily Phillips is batting .400 with a pair of home runs while Rylie Bouvier is at .368.
On Friday and Saturday, McNeese will host its third tournament.
