Southland announces 2018 softball preseason all-conference teams

FRISCO, Texas – Abilene Christian, McNeese and Nicholls each earned five picks on the 2018 softball preseason all-conference teams, the Southland Conference announced Tuesday.

The Cowgirls lead all league teams in first team selections with four. The Wildcats and Colonels each earned a trio on the top team.

Three-time Southland Player of the Year Erika Piancastelli highlights the preseason all-conference teams after a 2017 season that saw McNeese claim the regular season and tournament championships for the second year in a row. She led the league in on base percentage (.544), runs scored (56) and walks (63). Teammates Justyce McClain, a junior outfielder, and Alexandria Saldivar, a sophomore designated player, join Piancastelli on the first team as automatic selections. Senior third baseman Carleigh Chaumont was voted onto the first team by the league’s head coaches while senior utility player Morgan Catron was picked to the second team.

The Wildcats, who finished last season in second place with a 20-7 Southland record, enter their first season eligible for Southland and NCAA postseason after completing the four-year transition to Division I. They earned preseason first team automatic selections in senior second baseman Holly Neese and senior shortstop Peyton Hedrick. Senior pitcher Hannah Null was also voted onto the leading team. Sophomore third baseman Tori Poullard and senior outfielder Braegan Hamilton earned spots on the second team.

Junior first baseman Kasey Frederick, sophomore outfielder Samantha Mracich and junior pitcher Megan Landry lead the Colonels’ squad as first team selections. The 2017 Southland tournament runners-up are also represented on the second team by junior shortstop Amanda Gianelloni and junior catcher Veronica Villafranco.

Lamar garnered three second team selections in junior second baseman Kelly Meeuwsen, senior outfielder Corina Thornton and senior pitcher Laura Napoli. Southeastern Louisiana picked up a pair of automatic selections in first team senior outfielder Kinsey Nichols and senior first baseman Mahalia Gibson.

Stephen F. Austin’s senior catcher Amber Landry is an automatic pick to the first team while Central Arkansas’ sophomore designated player Cylla Hill is an automatic selection to the second team. Northwestern State’s senior outfielder Sidney Salmans claimed a second team selection, and Sam Houston State’s junior pitcher Lindsey McLeod got the nod to the same team.

The 2018 season begins with McNeese hitting the circle first with a doubleheader against Virginia on Feb. 8 at home. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. CT. Sam Houston starts its season at 6 p.m. against Texas State in San Marcos, Texas. The remaining 10 league teams get their seasons going on Feb. 9.

The preseason all-conference teams are voted upon by the league’s head coaches. Returning players from the 2017 All-Conference First and Second teams are automatically named to the 2018 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

Second Team

*2017 All-Conference Selection