Hoping for a Hot Spring

By Jim Gazzolo

Despite the bitter chill that filled the air earlier in the week and another expected round this weekend, spring sports are just around the corner.

McNeese opens play in softball next week, taking on Texas Tech, last season’s national runner-up. 

That brings not only the second-ranked Red Raiders to town but also the nation’s top pitcher, NiJaree Candy, the first million-dollar softball player. She will face the Cowgirls in one of their usual tough non-conference games, a staple of the program.

“We want to play the best teams we can to see where we are,” said McNeese head softball coach James Landreneau, who recently signed a contract extension.

A week later, Justin Hill and the baseball team will open their season. Both teams have had a history of competing for Southland Conference titles. However, as in basketball, the SLC is improving in both sports.

“It has been a tough league for a few years, but more schools are investing in their programs,” said Hill. “Every weekend is a battle.”

The Cowboys will open play with a weekend series against former Southland foe Sam Houston State at home on Friday, Feb. 13. They will return 20 players from last year’s club.

Leading the way is shortstop Easton Dowell, who had a breakout season as a sophomore last spring. Dowel led the Cowboys with a .369 average, slugging .597. He had 17 doubles and seven home runs, driving in 37.

Transfer outfield Larry Edwards Jr. drove in a team-high 47 runs while hitting .316. Another transfer, first baseman Marcus Heusohn, is back after a .327 season.   

Simon Larranaga brings back his team-best 12 homers, but he is hoping to make better contact this year.

With ace left-hander Alexis Gravel out for the year, Cooper Golden is the most experienced arm with the Cowboys. He finished 3-3 last season. 

As for the softball team, the Cowgirls bring back 17 players as they try to win their fifth straight SLC crown. Over the last four years, McNeese has won at least 40 games each spring, posting a 168-77 record while playing a robust schedule. That’s a 68.6 winning percentage.

The Cowgirls are 91-12 (88.3%) in the Southland and 98-28 (77.8) at home.   Southland Pitcher of the Year Maddie Taylor, Freshman of the Year Kassidy Chance, and NFC All-Region third baseman Jada Munoz, who had a breakout campaign in 2025, lead the returning crew. 

Also, Corine Poncho is back on the roster. She sat out the 2025 season after being a first-team All-SCL player in 2024 when she led the Cowgirls in home runs, total bases, RBI, runs scored, walks, slugging percent, on-base percent, and fielding percent.

As a sophomore in 2024, Poncho hit 15 home runs to lead the league while hitting.313 overall. She also stole 16 bases. 

If everything works out, it could lead to a hot spring on both diamonds at McNeese.

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers sports in Southwest Louisiana. He is also the host of Poke Nation, which airs weekly on CBS-Lake Charles.