Nicholls headlines Southland preseason softball squad with eight selections

FRISCO, Texas – The Southland Conference has announced the 2019 preseason all-conference softball teams. Among the nine schools represented, Nicholls led the way with eight picks on the all-conference rosters. Of the 24 preseason honorees, 20 made their way as automatic selections following the conclusion of the 2018 season.

The Colonels lead all represented schools with six first-team selections in addition to a pair on the second team roster. McNeese and Sam Houston State came in next tied with three picks apiece, two first-teamers and one second team honoree for each school.

Nicholls six first team members include Jewel Lara who was named 2018 Southland Freshman of the Year in 2018, Amanda Gianelloni at shortstop, outfielders Kasey Frederick and Kelsey Miller, 2018 SLC Newcomer of the Year Kali Clement and reigning Pitcher of the Year Megan Landry. Alexis LaBure also claimed a spot on the second team to round out the Nicholls preseason honorees.

Catcher Bailey White and pitcher Lindsey McLeod were awarded first-team accolades as two of Sam Houston State’s three automatic qualifiers. McLeod claimed all eight of Sam Houston State’s eight shutouts last season and will look to partner with White in order to bolster the Bearkat defense. Tiffany Thompson was also awarded a second team berth in the shortstop role.

McNeese enters the year after a flawless record at the 2018 Southland Conference Tournament and a postseason run into the NCAA Regional Tournament. The Cowgirls are led by first team preseason selections Justyce McClain and Alexandria Saldivar. After closing out 2018 with a 41-21 overall record and a 18-9 mark in Southland play, McNeese will look to defend their Southland Conference Tournament title.

Northwestern State sophomore Cayla Jones returns as an automatic pick to the first team after helping the Lady Demons to a Southland Conference Tournament appearance and a 28-25 overall record. Jones led Northwestern State with a .378 batting average, 10 home runs and 10 runs batted in. Fellow Lady Demon Kaitlyn St. Clair joins her teammate on the preseason roster as a second team selection.

Central Arkansas’ Kaylyn Shepherd rounds out the first team members with an automatic selection at first base. Shepherd collected 399 putouts and a .981 fielding percentage for the Bears in the 2018 season. Senior Morgan Felts stands as the second UCA player named to the preseason roster with a second team nod.

With 20 of the preseason honorees earning automatic qualifying selections, a quartet of newcomers all comprise spots on the second team. Making their way onto the preseason squad for the 2019 campaign are Nicholls junior Sam Dares, Southeastern Louisiana sophomore Madison Watson, Houston Baptist junior Heidi Jaquez and McNeese junior Alexsandra Flores.

The 2019 season opens up Thursday, Feb. 7 with Southeastern Louisiana hosting San Jose State in Hammond, La. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. CT. McNeese also begins their schedule that same evening with a 6 p.m. home game against Samford at Joe Miller field in Lake Charles, La. Nine of the remaining 10 league teams will open up their seasons Feb. 8.

The preseason all-conference teams are voted upon by the league’s head coaches. Returning players from the 2018 All-Conference First and Second teams are automatically named to the 2019 Preseason All-Conference teams at their respective positions. Second team players are elevated to first team if the first team slot is vacated by a non-returning player at the same position.

First Team
Name School Pos. Class Hometown
Kaylyn Shepherd* Central Arkansas 1B Jr. Mechanicsville, Va.
Cayla Jones* Northwestern State 2B So. Missouri City, Texas
Jewel Lara* Nicholls 3B So. Missouri City, Texas
Amanda Gianelloni* Nicholls SS Sr. Napoleonville, La.
Bailey White* Sam Houston State C RSo. Burleson, Texas
Alexandria Saldivar* McNeese DP Jr. Princeton, Texas
Justyce McClain* McNeese OF Sr. Phoenix, Ariz.
Kasey Frederick* Nicholls OF Sr. Bridge City, Texas
Kelsey Miller* Nicholls OF So. Denham Springs, La.
Megan Landry* Nicholls P Sr. Pierre Part, La.
Lindsey McLeod* Sam Houston State P Sr. Austin, Texas
Kali Clement* Nicholls UT Sr. Thibodaux, La.

Second Team
Name School Pos. Class Hometown
Sam Dares Nicholls 1B Jr. Metairie, La.
Kelly Meeuwsen* Lamar 2B Sr. Hillsboro, Ore.
Madison Watson Southeastern Louisiana 3B So. Reserve, La.
Tiffany Thompson* Sam Houston State SS Jr. Montgomery, Texas
Heidi Jaquez Houston Baptist C Jr. Wharton, Texas
Taylor Davis* Lamar DP Sr. Nederland, Texas
Donelle Johnson* Abilene Christian OF RJr. McKinney, Texas
Ali McCoy* Southeastern Louisiana OF Jr. Maurepas, La.
Morgan Felts* Central Arkansas OF Sr. Conway, Ark.
Alexsandra Flores McNeese P Jr. Lufkin, Texas
Alexis LaBure* Nicholls P So. Port Neches, Texas
Kaitlyn St. Clair* Northwestern State UT Jr. Cypress, Texas *2018 All-Conference Selection