Off to a streaking start, the McNeese State softball team hopes to keep rolling this weekend.

The Cowgirls, winners of 11 in a row, look to take a few more steps closer to their first goal of winning the Southland Conference regular-season championship.

“The streak is nice, but what I like is how we are playing,” said Cowgirls head coach Mike Smith. “We are playing consistently good softball which is all I can ask for.”

McNeese will start a three-game series with second place Southeastern Louisiana at 2 p.m. today with a doubleheader. The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.

As for the Cowgirls (24-7, 5-0 SLC), a sweep would put them in good shape as they get ready to hit the road in the league the following weekend. McNeese has yet to play a road SLC game, making the fast start ultra important.

“You have to win these games when you play at home,” said Smith. “You have to get as many wins under your belt because it is tough to win in our league on the road.”

Southeastern (17-8, 4-2) is led by ace Racheal Hellyer (8-0, 2.10 ERA).

“The big thing is we now control our own destiny,” Smith said. “You want that going into the last few games. You don’t want to have to worry about watching the scoreboard and wondering what if this happens or what if that happens.”

Emily Vincent leads the McNeese offense with a .360 batting average, seven home runs and 33 runs batted in.

Meagan Bond (11-2, 1.10 ERA) is the reigning conference pitcher of the week. She has 103 strikeouts in 83 innings. Jamie Allred equals Bonds with an 11-2 record and has a 1.36 ERA.

McNeese State senior Meagan Bond. (American Press Archives).

Pankaj Khadka