Cowgirls picked to win conference

FRISCO, Texas-- McNeese softball, the two-time defending regular season champions have been picked by the league’s sports information directors to win its third consecutive Southland Conference title as released by the league office Wednesday. The Cowgirls are picked to finish second behind Northwestern State in the coach’s poll.

Coming off a 40-17 season that saw the Cowgirls break a combined 16 school and Southland Conference records and tied seven, McNeese returns 13 letter winners including six starters and all three pitchers.

First year head coach Joanna Hardin and the Cowgirls return the Southland’s top two pitchers including the 2014 SLC pitcher of the year Jamie Allred. Sophomore Rachel Smith, an all-conference pick as a freshman will also return to the circle. Also returning will be all-conference performers Lauren Langner, Taylor Goree, Marissa Taunton, and Emily Vincent.

“We appreciate having the respect of our colleagues and the SID’s in the conference,” Joanna Hardin said. “The Southland Conference will always be competitive and our focus remains on performing to the best of our abilities on a consistent basis.”

McNeese received six first place votes in the SID poll and five in the coaches. Northwestern State, the two-time defending tournament champs received six first place votes by the coaches and five in the SID poll. Stephen F. Austin received on first place vote in the coach’s poll while Sam Houston State collected one vote in the SID poll.

2015 Preseason Southland Softball Polls

Coaches’ Poll (first place votes)
1. Northwestern State (6) 116
2. McNeese State (5) 114
3. Sam Houston State 97
4. Stephen F. Austin (1) 90
5. Central Arkansas 82
6. Abilene Christian 65
7. Lamar 58
8. Houston Baptist 52
9. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 43
10. Southeastern Louisiana 39
11. Nicholls 24
12. UIW 12

SID Poll (first place votes)
1. McNeese State (6) 115
2. Northwestern State (5) 109
3. Sam Houston State (1) 102
4. Central Arkansas 81
5. Stephen F. Austin 80
6. Houston Baptist 62
7. Lamar 61
8. Abilene Christian 54
9. Southeastern Louisiana 48
10. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 43
11. Nicholls 24
12. UIW 13