The McNeese State softball team begins a three-game Southland Conference series against Central Arkansas today in Conway, Ark.

The teams will play a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Friday. Saturday’s game begins at 11 a.m.

Central Arkansas (22-11, 5-4) is tied for second in the SLC race with four other teams. The Sugar Bears lead the SLC in seven hitting categories, including a .328 batting average.

The first-place Cowgirls (26-8, 7-1 SLC) are led at the plate by freshman first baseman Emily Vincent. Vincent (.365, 33 RBIs) leads the team and ranks third in the SLC with seven home runs.

Junior Alanna DiVittorio (.346, 10 SB) leads the team with eight doubles and leads the SLC with 32 runs scored and 24 walks. Sophomore Lauren Langner (.354) leads the Cowgirls with 39 hits.

Senior pitcher Meagan Bond (11-3, 1.38 ERA) is second in the SLC with 112 strikeouts in 91 innings. She has won 10 of her last 11 games. Freshman Jamie Allred (13-2, 1.30), who has won her last eight games, has pitched 962⁄3 innings and has two shutouts.

McNeese has the lowest ERA (1.60) and the best fielding percentage (.967) in the SLC. The Cowgirls lead the SLC with 42 stolen bases.

(MGNonline)