2024 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team

2024 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball
2024 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	19–31 (5–18 Southland)
Head coach	Lacy Prejean (1st season);
Assistant coaches	Lexi Smith; Melissa Mayeux;
Home stadium	Lady Demon Diamond
	Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

2024 Southland Conference softball standings
v t e	Conf				Overall
Team	W		L	PCT	W		L	PCT
McNeese ‍†‍‍	22	–	2	.917	40	–	20	.667
Southeastern Louisiana ‍‍‡‍^y	17	–	7	.708	47	–	15	.758
Nicholls ‍‍‍	16	–	8	.667	31	–	26	.544
Incarnate Word ‍‍‍	14	–	9	.609	34	–	17	.667
Lamar ‍‍‍	12	–	12	.500	26	–	25	.510
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi ‍‍‍	9	–	15	.375	21	–	22	.488
Houston Christian ‍‍‍	9	–	15	.375	23	–	27	.460
Northwestern State ‍‍‍	5	–	18	.217	19	–	31	.380
Texas A&M–Commerce* ‍‍‍	2	–	22	.083	9	–	45	.167
* Ineligible for the 2024 NCAA tournament due to transition from Division II^[1]

† – Conference champion ‡ – Tournament champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of May 19, 2024^[2] Rankings from NFCA/USA Today

The 2024 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team represented Northwestern State University during the 2024 NCAA Division I softball season. The Lady Demons played their home games at Lady Demon Diamond and were led by first year head coach Lacy Prejean. They are members of the Southland Conference. The team compiled a 19–31 overall record and a 5–18 record in conference play finishing in eighth place. They failed to qualify for the SLC tournament.

Preseason

Southland Conference Coaches Poll

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 2, 2024. Northwestern State was picked to finish sixth in the Southland Conference with 63 votes.^[3]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
Coaches poll
1	McNeese State	128 (16)
2	Southeastern Louisiana	114 (2)
3	Nicholls	97
4	Lamar	78
5	Texas A&M–Corpus Christi	72
6	Northwestern State	63
7	Houston Christian	49
8	Incarnate Word	30
9	Texas A&M–Commerce	17

Preseason All-Southland team

Ashlyn Walker, Laney Roos, and Maggie Darr were named to the conference preseason second team. ^[3]

First Team

Lexi Johnson (SELA, SR, 1st Base)
Erin Kraus (NICH, SO, 2nd Base)
Haylie Savage HCU, JR, 3rd Base)
Reese Reyna (MCNS, JR, Shortstop)
Bailey Krolczyk (SELA, SR, Catcher)
Chloe Gomez (MCNS, SR, Utility)
Audrey Greely (SELA, SR, Designated Player)
Alexa Poche (NICH, SR, Outfielder)
AB Garcia (HCU, SO, Outfielder)
Erin Ardoin (MCNS, JR, Outfielder)
Ashley Vallejo (MCNS, JR, Pitcher)
Primrose Aholelei (TAMUCC, JR, Pitcher)

Second Team

Crislyne Mareno (MCNS, JR, 1st Base)
Mariana Torres (MCNS, JR, 2nd Base)
Rylie Bouvier (MCNS, JR, 3rd Base)
Brooke Davis (LU, SR, Shortstop)
Ashlyn Walker (NWST, SR, Catcher)
Sydney Hoyt (TAMUCC, SR, Utility)
Cameron Niedenthal (LU, SR, Designated Player)
Cam Goodman (SELU, SR, Outfielder)
Ka'Lyn Watson (SELU, SR, Outfielder)
Laney Roos (NWST, SR, Outfielder)
Maggie Darr (NWST, SR, Pitcher)
Shaelyn Sanders (MCNS, SR, Pitcher)

Roster

2024 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team

Players

Coaches

#	Pos.	Name	Bats/throws	Height	Year	Home town
1	RHP	Skye Sharp	S/R	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)	Fr	McComb, Mississippi
2	OF	Camryn Ford	L/L	5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)	So	Marthaville, Louisiana
4	C	Ashlyn Walker	R/R	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	Sr	Saginaw, Texas
5		Mia Liscano	L/R	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)	Fr	Buda, Texas
7	OF	Cameron Curtis	R/R	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)	Fr	Gloster, Louisiana
8	U	Kelsey Bunch	R/R	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)	Jr	Galveston, Texas
9	OF	Laney Roos	L/L	5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)	Sr	Aubrey, Texas
11	RHP	Kenzie Seely	R/R	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)	Sr	Whitney, Texas
12	INF	Taylor Williams	L/R	5 ft 3 in (1.6 m)	Sr	Tom Bean, Texas
13	C	Tristin Court	R/R	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	Sr	Rockwall, Texas
14	INF	Kennedy Reynolds	R/R	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)	RS Jr	Spring, Texas
15	RHP	Nana Vences	R/R	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	RS So	Marshall, Texas
17	INF	Kat Marshall	R/R	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	Sr	Brenham, Texas
18	RHP	Rylie Denton	L/R	5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)	Sr	Rotan, Texas
19	INF	Sophia Livers	R/R	5 ft 0 in (1.52 m)	Fr	Bossier City, Louisiana
21	U	Ali Delafield	L/L	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)	Fr	Stonewall, Louisiana
22	OF	Bailie Ragsdale	L/R	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)	Jr	Lone Oak, Texas
24	RHP	Haley Parker	R/R	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)	RS So	Fort Worth, Texas
28	RHP	Maggie Darr	R/R	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	Sr	Missouri City, Texas
32	C	Carissa Hernandez	R/R	5 ft 3 in (1.6 m)	Fr	Lytle, Texas
33	C	Lexie Roos	R/R	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	Sr	Aubrey, Texas

Head coach

Lacy Prejean (University of Alabama)

Assistant coach(es)

Lexi Smith (Texas A&M)
Melissa Mayeux (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: February 1, 2024

Schedule and results

Legend
	Northwestern State win
	Northwestern State loss
	Postponement/Cancellation
Bold	Northwestern State team member
*	Non-Conference game
†	Make-Up Game

2024 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball game log

Regular season (19–31)

February (9–10)
Date	Opponent	Rank	Site/stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	TV	Attendance	Overall record	SLC record
Texas State Tournament
Feb. 8	at Texas State*		Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX	0–7	T. McCann (1-0)	Seely, Kenzie (0-1)	None	ESPN+	644	0–1
Feb. 8	vs. UTSA*		Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX	8–2	Darr, Maggie (1-0)	R. Smith (0-1)	None		644	1–1
Feb. 9	vs. Creighton*		Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX	1–2	Puchino (1-0)	Seely, Kenzie (0-2)	None		806	1–2
Feb. 10	vs. Southern Illinois*		Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX	6–3	Delafield, Aly (1-0)	Madi Eberle (0-1)	None			2– 2
Feb. 10	vs. Kennesaw State*		Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX	0–1	HILLEARY, Kenley (2-0)	Darr, Maggie (1-1)	None			2–3

Feb. 13	at Stephen F. Austin*		Jaycees Field • Nacogdoches, TX	3–4 (9 inn)	A. Telford (1-2)	Delafield, Aly (1-1)	None		102	2–4
Feb. 13	at Stephen F. Austin*		Jaycees Field • Nacogdoches, TX	1–0	Seely, Kenzie (1-2)	A. Brown (0-1)	None		215	3–4
Houston Classic
Feb. 16	vs. UTSA*		Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX	3–1	Seely, K. (2-2)	Parker, Haley (0-2)	None			4–4
Feb. 17	vs. UMass*		Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX	3–2	Darr, Maggie (2-1)	Horton, N. (1-2)	Delafield, Aly (1)			5–4
Feb. 17	vs. UTSA*		Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX	1–5	I. Saucedo (1-0)	Denton, Ryleigh (0-1)	None			5–5
Feb. 18	at Houston*		Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX	7–8	S. Smith (5-0)	Seely, Kenzie (2-3)	None	ESPN+		5–6
Feb. 18	at Houston*		Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX	0–13 (5 inn)	P. Lehman (3-0)	Darr, Maggie (2-2)	None	ESPN+	488	5–7
Best on the Bayou
Feb. 22	at Louisiana–Monroe*		Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA	3–11 (5 inn)	Abrams,Victoria (4-1)	Seely, Kenzie (2-4)	None		430	5–8
Feb. 23	vs. Evansville*		Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA	3–0	Darr, Maggie (3-2)	Jolly (0-3)	None		138	6–8
Feb. 23	vs. Sam Houston*		Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA	4–2 (8 inn)	Seely, Kenzie (3-4)	Abke, A. (2-1)	None		233	7–8
Feb. 24	vs. Sam Houston*		Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA	1–7	Daryn Grams (2-1)	Darr, Maggie (3-3)	None		166	7–9
Feb. 24	vs. Syracuse Orange*		Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA	11–8	Denton, Ryleigh (1-1)	Verni (1-2)	Seely, Kenzie (1)		224	8–9

Feb. 27	Stephen F. Austin*		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	3–4 (9 inn)	A. Telford (1-2)	Delafield, Aly (1-1)	Nine	ESPN+	102	9–9
Feb. 27	Stephen F. Austin*		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	1–0	Seely, Kenzie (1-2)	A. Brown (0-1)	None	ESPN+	215	9–10

March (5–13)
Date	Opponent	Rank	Site/stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	TV	Attendance	Overall record	SLC record
Longhorn Invitational
Mar 1	vs. Hofstra*		Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX	1–0 (8 inn)	Darr, Maggie (4-4)	Apsel, J (1-1)	None	LHN		10–10
Mar 1	at Texas*	2	Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX	2–10 (5 inn)	Morgan (4-0)	Seely, Kenzie (4-5)	None	LHN	1,812	10–11
Mar 2	vs. Tarleton State*		Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX	8–2	Seely, Kenzie (5-5)	Marquez, K (1-4)	None			11–11
Mar 3	vs. Penn State*		Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX	2–3	M Volpe (4-0)	Darr, Maggie (4-5)	None	LHN	203	11–12

Mar 9	Nicholls		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	5–9	Yoo, Molly (4-3)	Seely, Kenzie (5-6)	Paden, Averi (1)	ESPN+	228	11–13	0–1
Mar 9	Nicholls		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	0–5	McNeill, Audrey (6-6)	Darr, Maggie (4-6)	None	ESPN+	218	11–14	0–2
Mar 10	Nicholls		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	0–2	McNeill, Audrey (7-6)	Seely, Kenzie (5-7)	None	ESPN+	204	11–15	0–3
Mar 12	at Louisiana Tech*		Lady Techster Softball Complex • Ruston, LA	1–2	FLOYD, Allie (7-1)	Seely, Kenzie (5-8)	None	ESPN+	617	11–16
Mar 15	at Lamar		Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX	5–6	Mitchell, Karyana (8-0)	Seely, Kenzie (5-9)	None	ESPN+	500	11–17	0–4
Mar 15	at Lamar		Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX	6–1	Darr, Maggie (5-6)	Mitchell, Karyana (8-1)	None	ESPN+	400	12–17	1–4
Mar 16	at Lamar		Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX	2–6	Wardlaw, Emma (6-2	Darr, Maggie (5-7)	None	ESPN+	500	12–18	1–5
Mar 19	Texas Southern*		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	2–1	Seely, Kenzie (6-9)	Maren Berger (2-3)	None	ESPN+	205	13–18
Mar 23	at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi		Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX	2–6	Aholelei, Primrose (10-5)	Darr, Maggie (5-8)	None	ESPN+	150	13–19	1–6
Mar 23	at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi		Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX	7–4	Seely, Kenzie (7-9)	Williams, Malia (3-2)	Darr, Maggie (1)	ESPN+	150	14–19	2–6
Mar 24	at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi		Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX	0–3	Aholelei, Primrose (11-5)	Darr, Maggie (5-9)	None	ESPN+	120	14–20	2–7
Mar 28	McNeese		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	8–10	Davis, Lindsay (4-5)	Darr, Maggie (5-10)	Schexnayder, Ryann (2)	ESPN+	411	14–21	2–8
Mar 29	McNeese		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	1–7	Dibbley, Alexis (2-0)	Seely, Kenzie (7-10)	None	ESPN+	452	14–22	2–9
Mar 29	McNeese		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	0–8 (5 inn)	Sanders, Shaelyn (11-6)	Darr, Maggie (5-11)	None	ESPN+	452	14–23	2–10

April (4–7)
Date	Opponent	Rank	Site/stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	TV	Attendance	Overall record	SLC record
Apr 12	at Southeastern Louisiana		North Oak Park • Hammond, LA	4–5	DuBois, Ellie (12-3)	Seely, Kenzie (7-11)	None	ESPN+	245	14–24	2–11
Apr 12	at Southeastern Louisiana		North Oak Park • Hammond, LA	1–5	Blanchard, C (14-2)	Darr, Maggie (5-12)	None	ESPN+	245	14–25	2–12
Apr 13	at Southeastern Louisiana		North Oak Park • Hammond, LA	4–8	Blanchard, C (15-2)	Darr, Maggie (5-13)	None	ESPN+	174	14–26	2–13
Apr 19	Texas A&M–Commerce		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	1–2	Sanchez, Julia (5-12)	Seely, Kenzie (7-12)	None	ESPN+	389	14–27	2–14
Apr 19	Texas A&M–Commerce		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	6–0	Darr, Maggie (6-13)	Arredondo, Anissa (0-7)	None	ESPN+	385	15–27	3–14
Apr 20	Texas A&M–Commerce		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	3–2	Seely, Kenzie (8-12)	Sanchez, Julia (5-13)	None	ESPN+	226	16–27	4–14
Apr 23	Louisiana Tech*		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	8–6	Denton, Ryleigh (2-1)	MENZINA, Lauren (2-1)	None	ESPN+	349	17–27
Apr 24	Texas Southern		Memorial Park • Houston, TX	–	(-)	Cancelled				–
Apr 26	at Houston Christian		Husky Field • Houston, TX	2–6	Swanson, L. (7-7)	Darr, Maggie (6-14)	None		200	17–28	4–15
Apr 26	at Houston Christian		Husky Field • Houston, TX	0–2	Grofman, R. (6-9)	Seely, Kenzie (8-13)	None		200	17–29	4–16
Apr 27	at Houston Christian		Husky Field • Houston, TX	0–2	Janes, K. (5-4)	Seely, Kenzie (8-14)	None	ESPN+	300	17–30	4–17
Apr 30	Grambling*		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	8–3	Darr, Maggie (9-14)	Erin Gibbs (4-9)	None	ESPN+	385	18–30

May (1–1)
Date	Opponent	Rank	Site/stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	TV	Attendance	Overall record	SLC record
May 3	Incarnate Word		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	2–6	Larissa Jacquez (11-5)	Darr, Maggie (7-15)	None	ESPN+	388	18–31	4–18
May 3	Incarnate Word		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	1–0	Seely, Kenzie (9-14)	Samantha Portillo (8-6)	None	ESPN+	388	19–31	5–18
May 4	Incarnate Word		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA			Cancelled				–	–

Schedule Source:^[4]^[5]^[6]*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.

Conference awards and honors

Post-season All-Southland Conference Teams

No Lady Demons were selected to post season teams.^[7]

Player of the Year: Victoria Altamirano, UIW

Hitter of the Year: Ka'Lyn Watson, Southeastern

Pitcher of the Year: Shaelyn Sanders, McNeese

Freshman of the Year: Alexis Dibbley, McNeese

Newcomer of the Year: Shenita Tucker, Lamar

Coach of the Year: James Landreneau, McNeese

First Team

Corine Poncho (MCNS, SO, 1st Base)
Mariana Torres (MCNS, SR, 2nd Base)
Chloe Magee (SELA, FR, Shortstop)
Maddison Guillen (UIW, SR, 3rd Base)
Bailey Krolczyk (SELA, SR, Catcher)
Victoria Altamirano (UIW, SO, Utility)
Audrey Greely (SELA, SR, Designated Player)
Reagan Heflin (NICH, SO, Outfielder)
Ka'Lyn Watson (SELA, SR, Outfielder)
Alexis Dibbley (MCNS, FR, Outfielder)
Cera Blanchard (SELA, SR, Pitcher)
Shaelyn Sanders (MCNS, SR, Pitcher)

Second Team

Lexi Johnson (SELA, SR, 1st Base)
Ryleigh Mata (UIW, JR, 2nd Base)
Baylee Lemons (UIW, JR, Shortstop)
Rylie Bouvier (MCNS, JR, 3rd Base)
Bella Perez (MCNS, FR, Catcher)
Haylie Savage (HCU, JR, Utility)
Crislyne Moreno (MCNS, JR, Designated Player)
Jillian Guiterrez (UIW, SO, Outfield)
Abby Andersen (NICH, SR, Outfield)
Cam Goodman (SELA, SR, Outfield)
Primrose Aholelei (TAMUCC, SR, Pitcher)
Ellie DuBois (SELA, SR, Pitcher)

Weekly awards

Weekly honors
Honors	Player	Position	Date Awarded	Ref.
SLC Softball Pitcher of the week	Kenzie Seely	RHP	March 4, 2024	^[8]

References

^ "Texas A&M University-Commerce Officially Joins NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference". Texas A&M University-Commerce. July 1, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
^ "Southland Standings". D1Softball.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "McNeese predicted to repeat as SLC Softball Champions; Preseason poll and all-conference teams announced". Southland Conference. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
^ "2024 Lady Demon Softball Schedule". Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
^ "WarrenNolan.com Northwestern State Lady Demons - Southland". Nolan Analytics, LLC. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
^ "D1SOFTBALL Northwestern State (Southland)". D1 Softball. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
^ "Altamirano wins Player of the Year, Watson and Sanders lead strong showings for McNeese at Southeastern on SLC All-Conference Teams". www.southland.org. May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
^ Anthony Goss (March 4, 2024). "Watson of Southeastern and Seely of Northwestern State Tabbed as Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Players of the Week". Retrieved March 4, 2024.

[1] "Texas A&M University-Commerce Officially Joins NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference". Texas A&M University-Commerce. July 1, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024.

[2] "Southland Standings". D1Softball.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.

[Polls-3] "McNeese predicted to repeat as SLC Softball Champions; Preseason poll and all-conference teams announced". Southland Conference. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.

[4] "2024 Lady Demon Softball Schedule". Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Retrieved December 28, 2023.

[5] "WarrenNolan.com Northwestern State Lady Demons - Southland". Nolan Analytics, LLC. Retrieved January 25, 2024.

[6] "D1SOFTBALL Northwestern State (Southland)". D1 Softball. Retrieved January 25, 2024.

[7] "Altamirano wins Player of the Year, Watson and Sanders lead strong showings for McNeese at Southeastern on SLC All-Conference Teams". www.southland.org. May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.

[8] Anthony Goss (March 4, 2024). "Watson of Southeastern and Seely of Northwestern State Tabbed as Jersey Mike's SLC Softball Players of the Week". Retrieved March 4, 2024.

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[3]

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[7]

[8]

v t e Northwestern State Lady Demons softball
Venues	Lady Demon Diamond (1979–Present)
Head coaches	Pam Carey (1979) Debra Pheil (1980) James Smith (1981–1984) Linda Jones (1985–1986) Rickey McCalister (1987–1994) Gay McNutt (1995–2000) Ty Singleton (2001–2002) Eileen Schmidt (2003–2004) Mike Perniciaro (2005) Becky McMurtry (2006–2008) Donald Pickett (2009– )
Seasons	1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Women's College World Series appearances in italics

Preseason

Southland Conference Coaches Poll

Preseason All-Southland team

First Team

Second Team

Roster

Schedule and results

Conference awards and honors

Post-season All-Southland Conference Teams

First Team

Second Team

Weekly awards

See also

References