McNeese Wins 2021 Southland Softball Tournament Title
HAMMOND, La. – McNeese claimed its seventh Southland Conference Tournament title in program history with a 1-0 win over Central Arkansas Saturday afternoon at North Oak Park in Hammond, La. The Cowgirls completed a perfect 4-0 run through the tournament, led by the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Whitney Tate.
The Bears opened the day with a semifinal matchup against Stephen F. Austin, an affair that resulted in a narrow 5-4 victory for UCA. Stephen F. Austin took a 4-0 lead heading into the third inning, but the Bears came storming back with four runs in the third, thanks in part to a three-run homer from Kristen Whitehouse. Mary Kate Brown claimed a go-ahead double in the fourth inning, driving in Regan Sperling and setting up a rematch against McNeese for the Southland Tournament Championship.
Defense was key in the Cowgirls’ victory over UCA as McNeese tabbed 21 putouts and a pair of double plays, while allowing four hits in the shutout performance. Whitney Tate and Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year Jenna Edwards combined for 101 pitches against 28 batters in the victory. Tate was awarded the save, while Edwards earned her ninth win of the season.
Kaylee Lopez drove in the lone run of the game in the third inning with a double to left-center field that allowed Jil Poullard to cross the plate.
Jordan Johnson kept the Bears in the game with six innings in the circle, throwing 104 pitches and three strikeouts, while allowing just two hits from the Cowgirls. Brown tested the McNeese defense late in the contest with a double in the fifth inning.
McNeese led the way on the Southland All-Tournament roster with six selections, while Central Arkansas registered five honorees. Stephen F. Austin rounded out the all-tournament team with one selection.
With the win, the Cowgirls have earned the Southland’s automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament, which will begin with regional play May 21-23, followed by super regionals on May 27-29, or May 28-30. The Women’s College World Series will take place June 3-9, at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oka.
McNeese will learn of its regional site and regional opponents on the NCAA Selection Show at 8 p.m. CT Sunday, May 16, on ESPN2.
2021 Southland Softball All-Tournament Team
| Name |
Institution |
Cl. |
Pos. |
Hometown |
| Kayla Beaver |
Central Arkansas |
R-Fr. |
P |
Jackson, Tenn. |
| Mary Kate Brown |
Central Arkansas |
R-Fr. |
2B |
Atkins, Ark. |
| Cylla Hill |
Central Arkansas |
R-Sr. |
3B |
Henryetta, Okla. |
| Kaylyn Shepherd |
Central Arkansas |
R-Sr. |
1B |
Mechanicsville, Va. |
| Kristen Whitehouse |
Central Arkansas |
Fr. |
SS |
Moore, Okla. |
| Haylee Brinlee |
McNeese |
So. |
3B |
Rosepine, La. |
| Jenna Edwards |
McNeese |
Sr. |
P |
Winchester, Ken. |
| Kaylee Lopez |
McNeese |
So. |
UTIL |
Indian Bayou, La. |
| Cori McCrary |
McNeese |
Sr. |
SS |
McCarley, Miss. |
| Toni Perrin |
McNeese |
Sr. |
OF |
Reserve, La. |
| Whitney Tate* |
McNeese |
Fr. |
P |
Columbia, La. |
| Mackenzie Bennett |
Stephen F. Austin |
Jr. |
INF |
Santee, Calif. |
*2021 Tournament MVP