2024 McNeese Cowgirls softball team

The 2024 McNeese Cowgirls softball team represents McNeese State University during the 2024 NCAA Division I softball season. The Cowgirls play their home games at Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond and are led by eighth-year head coach James Landreneau. They are members of the Southland Conference.

2024 McNeese Cowgirls softball
Southland Conference regular season champion
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record40–20 (22–2 Southland)
Head coach
  • James Landreneau (8th season)
Assistant coaches
  • Shelby Sunseri
  • Alexis Otero
  • Alayis Seneca
Home stadiumJoe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond
Seasons
← 2023
2025 →
2024 Southland Conference softball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
McNeese ‍‍‍ 22 2   .917 40 20   .667
Southeastern Louisiana ‍‍y 17 7   .708 47 15   .758
Nicholls ‍‍‍ 16 8   .667 31 26   .544
Incarnate Word ‍‍‍ 14 9   .609 34 17   .667
Lamar ‍‍‍ 12 12   .500 26 25   .510
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi ‍‍‍ 9 15   .375 21 22   .488
Houston Christian ‍‍‍ 9 15   .375 23 27   .460
Northwestern State ‍‍‍ 5 18   .217 19 31   .380
Texas A&M–Commerce* ‍‍‍ 2 22   .083 9 45   .167
* Ineligible for the 2024 NCAA tournament due to transition from Division II[1]
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of May 19, 2024[2]
Rankings from NFCA/USA Today

The Cowgirls compiled a 40–20 overall record with a 22–2 conference record winning the SLC regular season championship. They were seeded first in the SLC tournament finishing with a 2–2 record in tournament play. The Cowgirls defeated seventh seeded Houston Christian 8–6 and third seeded Nicholls 4–38. They were eliminated from the tournament after losing two times to fourth seeded Incarnate Word. The first game score was 2–3. The second game was a 7–88 extra innings loss.

Previous season

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McNeese had a regular season record of 41–14 and a conference record of 21–3 winning the Southland Conference regular season championship. They also won the 2023 Southland Conference softball tournament as the first seeded team.

The Cowgirls won the SLC autobid to the 2023 NCAA Division I softball tournament. They were runner-up to the Seattle Regional championship compiling a tournament record of 3–2. Leading the regional championship game 6–0 through the sixth inning, the Cowgirls' season ended ultimately losing to the tournament hosts, # 7 ranked Washington Huskies 7–6. The Cowgirls' final overall record was 47–16.

Preseason

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Southland Conference Coaches Poll

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The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 2, 2024. McNeese was picked to finish first in the Southland Conference with 128 overall votes and 16 first place votes.[3]

Coaches poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 McNeese State 128 (16)
2 Southeastern Louisiana 114 (2)
3 Nicholls 97
4 Lamar 78
5 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 72
6 Northwestern State 63
7 Houston Christian 49
8 Incarnate Word 30
9 Texas A&M–Commerce 17

Preseason All-Southland team

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Reese Reyna, Chloe Gomez, Erin Ardoin, and Ashley Vallejo were named to the conference preseason first team. Crislyne Mareno, Mariana Torres, Rylie Bouvier, and Shaelyn Sanders were named to the conference preseason second team. [3]

First Team

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  • Lexi Johnson (SELA, SR, 1st Base)
  • Erin Kraus (NICH, SO, 2nd Base)
  • Haylie Savage HCU, JR, 3rd Base)
  • Reese Reyna (MCNS, JR, Shortstop)
  • Bailey Krolczyk (SELA, SR, Catcher)
  • Chloe Gomez (MCNS, SR, Utility)
  • Audrey Greely (SELA, SR, Designated Player)
  • Alexa Poche (NICH, SR, Outfielder)
  • AB Garcia (HCU, SO, Outfielder)Player of the Year: Victoria Altamirano, UIW

Hitter of the Year: Ka'Lyn Watson, Southeastern

Pitcher of the Year: Shaelyn Sanders, McNeese

Freshman of the Year: Alexis Dibbley, McNeese

Newcomer of the Year: Shenita Tucker, Lamar

Coach of the Year: James Landreneau, McNeese

  • Erin Ardoin (MCNS, JR, Outfielder)
  • Ashley Vallejo (MCNS, JR, Pitcher)
  • Primrose Aholelei (TAMUCC, JR, Pitcher)

Second Team

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  • Crislyne Mareno (MCNS, JR, 1st Base)
  • Mariana Torres (MCNS, JR, 2nd Base)
  • Rylie Bouvier (MCNS, JR, 3rd Base)
  • Brooke Davis (LU, SR, Shortstop)
  • Ashlyn Walker (NWST, SR, Catcher)
  • Sydney Hoyt (TAMUCC, SR, Utility)
  • Cameron Niedenthal (LU, SR, Designated Player)
  • Cam Goodman (SELU, SR, Outfielder)
  • Ka'Lyn Watson (SELU, SR, Outfielder)
  • Laney Roos (NWST, SR, Outfielder)
  • Maggie Darr (NWST, SR, Pitcher)
  • Shaelyn Sanders (MCNS, SR, Pitcher)

Roster

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2024 McNeese Cowgirls softball team
Players Coaches
# Pos. Name Bats/throws Height Year Home town
1 INF Jada Munoz R/R 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) So San Antonio, Texas
2 INF Brook Otto R/R 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) So Smithville, Texas
3 RHP Ashley Vallejo R/R 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) Sr New Waverly, Texas
4 U Erynn Boatright R/R 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) Fr Independence, Missouri
5 U Ashley Hagebusch R/R 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) Fr Conroe, Texas
6 OF Erin Ardoin L/R 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Jr Moss Bluff, Louisiana
7 OF Rylee Eyster L/R 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) So Southaven, Mississippi
8 U Grace Janik R/R 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) So Missouri City, Texas
9 RHP Lindsey Davis R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) So Troup, Texas
10 RHP Emma Banks R/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) Fr Stuttgart, Arkansas
11 LHP Ryann Schexnayder L/L 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) So Walker, Louisiana
12 INF Mariana Torres R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Jr Pflugerville, Texas
14 INF Crislyne Moreno R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Jr Converse, Texas
15 RHP Alexis Dibbley R/R 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Fr Moss Bluff, Louisiana
17 OF Delaney Dunham L/L 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) So Mont Belvieu, Texas
18 INF Brilee Ford R/R 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) Fr Hammond, Louisiana
19 U Corine Poncho R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) So Basile, Louisiana
19 U Corine Poncho R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) So Basile, Louisiana
20 INF Molly Powell R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Fr Nome, Texas
21 INF Brylie Fontenot R/R 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) Fr Moss Bluff, Louisiana
22 INF Reese Reyna R/R 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) Jr Santa Fe, Texas
23 C Bella Perez R/R 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Fr Houston, Texas
24 LHP Shaelyn Sanders R/L 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Sr Splendora, Texas
25 C Chloe Gomez R/R 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) Sr Spring, Texas
26 C Kelsey Gaspard R/R 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) RS So Roanoke, Louisiana
27 U Samantha Mundine L/R 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) Fr Luling, Texas
32 INF Rylie Bouvier L/R 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) Jr Santa Fe, Texas
34 C Emily Phillips R/R 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Sr Chesapeake, Virginia
Head coach

James Landreneau (McNeese State)

Assistant coach(es)

Shelbi Sunseri (LSU)
Alexis Otero (Quinnipiac/San Diego State
Alayis Seneca (McNeese)


Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: January 26, 2024

Schedule and results

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Legend
  McNeese win
  McNeese loss
  Postponement/Cancellation
Bold McNeese team member
* Non-Conference game
Make-Up Game
2024 McNeese Cowgirls softball game log
Regular season (40–20)
Post-Season (2–2)
Southland Tournament (2–2)
Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament record
May 8 vs. (4) Incarnate Word (1) North Oak ParkHammond, LA 2–3 Samantha Portillo(10-6) Sanders, Shaelyn(19-10) None ESPN+ 332 38–19 0–1
May 8 vs. (7) Houston Christian (1) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA 8–6 Schexnayder, Ryann(9-2) Grofman, Ronni(6-10) None ESPN+ 322 39–19 1–1
May 9 vs. (3) Nicholls (1) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA 4–3
(8 inn)
Sanders, Shaelyn (20-10) McNeill, A. (14-13) None ESPN+ 520 40–19 2–1
May 9 vs. (4) Incarnate Word (1) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA 7–8
(8 inn)
Samantha Portillo(11-6) Schexnayder, Ryann(9-3) None ESPN+ 322 40–20 2–2
Schedule Source:[4][5][6]*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.

Conference awards and honors

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Post-season All-Southland Conference Teams

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James Landreneau was named Coach of the Year. Shaelyn Sanders was named Pitcher of the Year, and Alexis Dibbley was named Freshman of the Year. Corine Poncho, Mariana Torres, Alexis Dibbley, and Shaelyn Sanders were named as first team members. Rylie Bouvier, Bella Perez, and Crislyne Moreno were named as second team members.[7]

Player of the Year: Victoria Altamirano, UIW

Hitter of the Year: Ka'Lyn Watson, Southeastern

Pitcher of the Year: Shaelyn Sanders, McNeese

Freshman of the Year: Alexis Dibbley, McNeese

Newcomer of the Year: Shenita Tucker, Lamar

Coach of the Year: James Landreneau, McNeese

First Team

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  • Corine Poncho (MCNS, SO, 1st Base)
  • Mariana Torres (MCNS, SR, 2nd Base)
  • Chloe Magee (SELA, FR, Shortstop)
  • Maddison Guillen (UIW, SR, 3rd Base)
  • Bailey Krolczyk (SELA, SR, Catcher)
  • Victoria Altamirano (UIW, SO, Utility)
  • Audrey Greely (SELA, SR, Designated Player)
  • Reagan Heflin (NICH, SO, Outfielder)
  • Ka'Lyn Watson (SELA, SR, Outfielder)
  • Alexis Dibbley (MCNS, FR, Outfielder)
  • Cera Blanchard (SELA, SR, Pitcher)
  • Shaelyn Sanders (MCNS, SR, Pitcher)

Second Team

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  • Lexi Johnson (SELA, SR, 1st Base)
  • Ryleigh Mata (UIW, JR, 2nd Base)
  • Baylee Lemons (UIW, JR, Shortstop)
  • Rylie Bouvier (MCNS, JR, 3rd Base)
  • Bella Perez (MCNS, FR, Catcher)
  • Haylie Savage (HCU, JR, Utility)
  • Crislyne Moreno (MCNS, JR, Designated Player)
  • Jillian Guiterrez (UIW, SO, Outfield)
  • Abby Andersen (NICH, SR, Outfield)
  • Cam Goodman (SELA, SR, Outfield)
  • Primrose Aholelei (TAMUCC, SR, Pitcher)
  • Ellie DuBois (SELA, SR, Pitcher)

Weekly awards

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Weekly honors
Honors Player Position Date Awarded Ref.
SLC Pitcher of the Week Shaelyn Sanders RHP March 18, 2024 [8]
SLC Pitcher of the Week Shaelyn Sanders RHP April 22, 2024 [9]

See also

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2024 McNeese Cowboys baseball team

References

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  1. ^ "Texas A&M University-Commerce Officially Joins NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference". Texas A&M University-Commerce. July 1, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  2. ^ "Southland Standings". D1Softball.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "McNeese predicted to repeat as SLC Softball Champions; Preseason poll and all-conference teams announced". Southland Conference. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  4. ^ "2024 Softball Schedule". McNeese Athletics. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "WarrenNolan.com McNeese Cowgirls Southland". Nolan Analytics, LLC. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  6. ^ "D1SOFTBALL McNeese (Southland)". D1 Softball. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  7. ^ "Altamirano wins Player of the Year, Watson and Sanders lead strong showings for McNeese at Southeastern on SLC All-Conference Teams". www.southland.org. May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  8. ^ Callum Squires (March 18, 2024). "Southeastern's Johnson and McNeese's Sanders pick up Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Players of the Week awards". Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  9. ^ James Hill (April 22, 2024). "Northwestern State's Livers, McNeese's Sanders Named Jersey Mike's Southland Softball Players of the Week". Retrieved May 26, 2024.