Latest news with #Landreneau
American Press
12-06-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Softball staff has familiar ring
Emily Phillips returns to McNeese as an assistant coach. (Kirk Meche / American Press archives) While James Landreneau will have an entirely new coaching staff next year, most of the names will be very familiar to Cowgirl fans. The McNeese State head softball coach announced his staff for next season Thursday, with four of the five being former Cowgirls themselves. Landreneau also confirmed the signing of Arkansas transfer Rylee Cloud, who signed with McNeese on Wednesday. Cloud is from Leesville originally and returns to the area for her final college season. 'We are really excited to get Rylee back here,' said Landreneau. 'She is a high-energy player who has a big arm and can play both middle infield positions equally well. She also has some pop in her bat.' Cloud joins transfer Maddie Weeks, who signed Tuesday from Southern Miss. As for the new coaches, Hope Trautwein-Valdespino will assume pitching and recruiting duties for Landreneau. She comes to McNeese after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Houston. She began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma, where she pitched her final season and helped the Sooners to a national championship in 2022. They also won the title in 2023 while Trautwein-Valdespino was on the staff. Trautwein-Valdespino spent her first four college seasons at North Texas, where she became the first Division I pitcher to throw a perfect game in which all outs were recorded by strikeout. That came on April 11, 2021, against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 'Hope knows pitching,' said Landreneau. 'She has done it on a high level in big games. She has been to the College World Series and won it, so she knows what it takes to get there. 'She is a very big get for us.' The four other new coaches all played and won championships for Landreneau at McNeese. Emily Phillips will lead the catchers and also assist with some of the recruiting efforts. She was a catcher at McNeese after starting her career at James Madison. Phillips helped McNeese win two Southland Conference titles after being a member of the 2021 JMU team that advanced to the College World Series. Crislyne Moreno will also serve as an assistant coach, working with infielders. She played three years at McNeese before heading to Texas-San Antonio for her senior season last spring. Landreneau finished up his staff with a pair of Graduate Assistants, Chloe Gomez and Rylie Bouvier. Gomez was a two-time all-Southland Conference catcher while at McNeese, graduating in 2024. Bouvier played last year as the Cowgirls' first baseman, moving over from third base for her senior season. 'It is great to have players come back and coach,' said Landreneau. 'They understand our system, our culture, and know what we are trying to do here. I'm very comfortable with this coaching staff. 'What's really nice is that players want to come back and coach here. It says they liked the culture and what we are about. It is also great for our fans who are used to them.' McNeese will be looking for its fifth straight SLC regular-season championship next year and a return to the NCAA postseason for the first time in three seasons.
American Press
10-06-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Poncho back with Cowgirls
McNeese slugger Corine Poncho is back after sitting out the 2024 season to concentrate on her studies. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press Archives) McNeese head softball coach James Landreneau hit a home run on the recruiting circuit Tuesday, and he never had to leave campus. According to sources, Corine Poncho, the power-hitting first baseman who sat out last season, has rejoined the Cowgirl softball team. An official announcement is expected later Tuesday afternoon. During the season, Landreneau stated that Poncho was always considered in good standing with the program despite her surprising decision to miss the year and focus on her studies. Landreneau saw his young team become a surprise four-time Southland Conference regular-season champs. The Cowgirls are the first SLC team ever to win four straight titles. McNeese finished the year 41-20 and advanced to the title game of the SLC championship series, where the Cowgirls lost heartbreakingly to Southeastern at home. Poncho was often seen attending many of the home games. In 2024, Poncho led the Southland Conference with 15 home runs as a sophomore, finishing with a .313 batting average and 36 runs batted in. She also walked a league-best 34 times while scoring 48 runs. Poncho earned first-team all-SLC honors for her efforts, as she also stole 16 bases. She will have two years of eligibility remaining. As a freshman, Poncho hit .341 over 41 games with three homers, 15 RBIs, and nine walks. During her senior season at Notre Dame High School in Crowley, she set the national record for home runs in a season with 32, driving in 71 runs, and was named Miss Softball in Louisiana. Her return to the roster will bolster a lineup that includes Jada Munoz, who had a breakout season last year with 15 home runs in her first season as a full-time starter at third base. Also expected back is Alexis Dibbley, who missed the second half of last season with an injury. As a rookie in 2024, Dibbley hit .351 with six home runs and 13 doubles in 57 games. She was named the SLC and Louisiana Freshman of the Year. The trio should give McNeese a powerful middle of the order next season. Landreneau confirmed Tuesday the signing of transfer infielder Maddie Weeks from Southern Mississippi. Weeks hit .299 last year while starting 51 games for the Golden Eagles. 'Maddie is a nice addition for us,' said Landreneau. 'She is a high-energy kid who can play all over the field and brings a lot of experience with her.' The Cowgirls will bring back a strong core for next year, as they will likely be the favorites to repeat as SLC champions for the fifth time.
American Press
15-05-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Landreneau staying put
James Landreneau looking forward to next season. (McNeese Athletics) James Landreneau will be back next season as the head coach of the McNeese State softball team. McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer said Landreneau's contract was rolled over for the fourth year, as officially agreed upon on Wednesday. Landreneau signed a three-year deal after the 2022 season, which included a fourth-year rollover. The news comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with the program. 'Everything is going as planned,' said Landreneau. 'This is what we had expected.' Schroyer and Landreau met on Wednesday as part of the annual season-ending review. 'We are just moving forward, that is the best way to get over the tough loss,' said Landreneau. 'We are disappointed in how it finished, but I'm proud of the way our team fought back this year.' McNeese was an extremely young team that ended strong after a 17-16 start. The Cowgirls rallied to finish 41-20, their fourth straight 40-plus win season. They also won their fourth straight Southland Conference regular-season title, becoming the first program in league history to do that. They were one out of winning a fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in five seasons. McNeese lost a controversial 6-5 decision to rival Southeastern last Saturday night when the umpires reversed a late call after the Cowgirls had actually celebrated getting the final out. 'Coach Landreneau did an exceptional job, maybe his best year coaching yet,' Schroyer said. 'We're excited to have him back next year. 'We had a very young roster this year, and the team came together and grew as the season progressed. I'm looking forward to watching this team continue to grow next year.' In his nine seasons at McNeese, Landreneau has posted a 339-181 record, winning five tournament and five regular-season crowns. He was named the league's Coach of the Year for the fourth time earlier this month after becoming the winningest skipper in program history early in the season. Landreneau and his pitching staff will return at least seven starters next season. The only everyday player who will definitely not be back will be all-conference shortstop Reese Reyna, who is out of eligibility. 'We have a young team and we learned a lot this year,' said Landreneau. 'We have gone through great exit interviews this week and have gotten a lot of positive feedback on where we are headed. I'm excited about getting back at it in the fall.' On Thursday, the organization announced that junior third baseman Jada Muñoz was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's All-Region team . Muñoz was selected to the Gulf Region third team. Muñoz led McNeese with 15 home runs, 19 doubles, 56 RBI, 26 walks, 126 total bases, 52 runs scored, .720 slugging percent, and was third on the team with a .343 batting average. Ironically, despite finishing second in the league in homers and leading in RBIs, Muñoz was not named to the all-Southland team.
American Press
11-05-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Reversal of fortune
Southeastern celebrates comeback victory Saturday night. (Kirk Meche/Special to the American Press) The torch has officially been passed. Any thoughts that Southeastern's softball championship last season was a fluke are gone. The Lady Lions are the queens of the Southland Conference after their punch-to-the-gut comeback win Saturday night over McNeese. Southeastern slayed its biggest rival on its home turf, taking down the top-seeded Cowgirls 6-5 in the deciding game of the championship series at Joe Miller Ballpark. And they did it ironically in walk-off fashion by a former Cowgirl. Brilee Ford, a sophomore who played at McNeese last season before transferring to SELA, slapped a single to right with two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. Ford drove in Chloe Magee from third with the championship run. 'I feel for my players right now,' said McNeese head coach James Landreneau. 'This is a tough moment. There are a lot of people hurting in our locker room right now.' The second-seeded Lions (48-14) won the final two games to capture the best-of-3 series and advance to their second straight NCAA Tournament. It is SELA's second softball title in program history. The Lions rallied from a 4-0 deficit to score three in the sixth and three more in the seventh to foil McNeese's hopes of adding to its record nine titles. The Cowgirls (41-20) were looking to win their fourth championship in five years and sixth in the last eight. 'Sometimes the game seems unfair,' said Landreneau. 'This is a tough lesson. It is painful.' It was doubly tough that it appeared the Cowgirls had won the title. With two out in the bottom of the seventh and up 5-3, Shelby Morris lofted a soft fly ball to short center. Nyjah Fontenot raced in and dove but came up short. The runner on second scored, but Fontenot recovered and fired to second, getting Morris according to umpire Todd Sharpe, who was hustling over from first base. However, second-base umpire Brian Soule, covering the play in center, turned back to his base and signaled safe. The umpires went to review as McNeese celebrated what they believed was a title. The umps returned and overturned the call, but never really said which one was being overruled. In the end, the confusion found Morris still on second and one pitch later, Magee tied the game with a single to left, setting the stage for the Cowgirls' ultimate heartbreak.. Landreneau refused to focus on the umpires. 'Things just started to fall apart for us at the end,' said Landreneau. 'Four or five games we have been on the other side.' Each of McNeese's four postseason wins this year came by way of walk-offs. McNeese took the lead in the first with a run after two were out. Sam Mundine, who has two walk-off RBIs in the postseason, drove in Jada Munoz from second and sent SELA starter Celia Lumpkin to a very early shower. Munoz had started the two-out rally with a single and moved into scoring position thanks to a Reese Reyna walk. Lumpkin worked just two-thirds of an inning, as did her replacement, Allison Brunson. The Cowgirls made it 2-0 on a fielder's choice by Nyjah Fontenot, scoring Brylie Fontenot from third. That turned into a double play when Nyjah Fontenot tried to take an extra base to end the inning. The Cowgirls added two runs in the top of the sixth. Rylie Bouvier started with her fourth home run of the season, and second of the series. Bouvier's shot glanced off the glove of Shenita Tucker, the Lions' center fielder, who had perfectly timed her leap over the fence. However, she could not corral the softball. McNeese made it 4-0 moments later on Nygah Fontenot's second RBI on a fielder's choice. 'I never felt comfortable with the lead,' said Landreneau. 'If there is a pitch left, we know anything can happen.' The Lions cut into the lead in the sixth, scoring three runs on just two hits and two costly McNeese errors. Southland Pitcher of the Year Maddie Taylor took the loss. Delaney was 3-for-3 with a walk for McNeese, finishing a perfect championship series. Delaney didn't make an out in the three games, finishing 7-for-7 with two walks.
American Press
10-05-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Lions force deciding game
McNeese infielder Kassidy Chance charges a slow a roller Friday night. (Kirk Meche/Special to the American Press) There will be one more game before the Southland Conference champion is decided. Using one big hit and a stellar pitching performance from an unexpected source, Southeastern evened up the best-of-3 championship series Friday night at Joe Miller Park. There was no late magic, no big heroics, no final rally this time for McNeese. Behind junior right-hander Lainee Bailey, the Lady Lions took Game 2 2-0, forcing the deciding game Saturday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. 'That was a tough game,' said McNeese head coach James Landreneau. 'They played better than us today. We will have to have a quick turnaround, but it's what we have prepared for.' Bailey, who entered the game with just 30⅔ innings in the circle, allowed just four hits while going the distance for Southeastern (47-14). She worked out of trouble several times, improving her record to 5-1. 'She did a really good job keeping us off balance,' said Landreneau. 'It was really hard for us to get into any rhythm.' Top-seeded McNeese (41-19) did have a couple of chances to score, but the Lions came up with big defensive plays. The biggest came in the fifth when Shelby Morris at second and Maria Detiller at third saved three or four runs. 'I thought their defense was really good,' said Landreneau. 'I also think that when we had some chances, we made soft contact. We need to make harder contact in the next game.' The Lions scored their runs right after that in the bottom of the fifth with two out. After getting the first batters easy, McNeese starter Maddie Taylor (18-8) gave up a single to Morris, who stole second immediately. Then Chloe Magee sent a sinking liner to left. Sam Mundine charged but appeared to get caught between making a late dive, taking the ball on a bounce, and throwing home. The ball skipped past Mundine and rolled to the wall, scoring both runs. 'She just got caught in between,' said Landreneau. 'A tough play.' Taylor, a freshman who was named the league's Pitcher of the Year, was solid, allowing seven hits but just the two runs.. 'I thought Williams pitched well,' said Landreneau. 'We just have to be ready tomorrow. I like our chances.' McNeese is looking for its record 10th SLC Tournament championship and fourth in five years. They have also won six of the last eight titles. Southeastern is looking to defend its title with a win Saturday, which would also be the second in program history. The Lions won the postgame coin flip and will be the home team for the deciding game.
