Feb. 25, 2008

McNeese State's women's softball team begins Southland Conference play today in a three game series beginning with a 4 p.m. doubleheader. The series will conclude with a single game at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

McNeese (5-12) was picked to finish sixth in the league by the coaches and sports information directors while Northwestern State (3-10) was picked to finish eighth in both polls. The Cowgirls are coming off a 3-3 record they posted in its Cowgirl Classic over the weekend. McNeese defeated Southern 8-2 on Friday, Texas Southern 10-1 Saturday and 7-4 on Sunday.

Senior Jenny Clay leads the Cowgirls in eight offensive categories including a .370 batting average, .609 slugging percent with 17 hits, 17 runs scored, five doubles, two home runs and 12 stolen bases in 12 attempts. Clay has hit safely in the Cowgirls' last 13 games.

Michelle LaVoie Leads The Pitching Staff

Michelle LaVoie is the team leader with 15 runs batted in and is second on the team with a .353 batting average. She has 12 hits and leads the pitching staff with three victories and 16 strikeouts in 42 innings pitched.

Also batting above .300 or above are Holly Long at .317 and Liz Morvant at .300. Long has 13 hits and is second on the team with four doubles and leads the team with 10 walks. Morvant has 12 hits with three doubles.

The Demons enter the Southland Conference series on a three game losing streak after falling 9-1 and 8-3 to Stephen F. Austin and 5-2 to Jackson State at its own Northwestern State Invitational.