2023 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team

American college softball season

2023 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record25–27 (10–14 Southland)
Head coach
  • Donald Pickett (15th season)
Assistant coachLexi Smith
Home stadiumLady Demon Diamond
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 Southland Conference softball standings
  • v
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 Conf Overall
Team W   L   T   PCT W   L   T   PCT
McNeese  ‍†‍‡‍y 21 – 3 – 0   .875 47 – 16 – 0   .746
Southeastern Louisiana  ‍‍‍ 19 – 5 – 0   .792 47 – 14 – 0   .770
Nicholls  ‍‍‍ 13 – 11 – 0   .542 29 – 24 – 0   .547
Lamar  ‍‍‍ 12 – 12 – 0   .500 22 – 34 – 0   .393
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi  ‍‍‍ 11 – 13 – 0   .458 24 – 24 – 0   .500
Northwestern State  ‍‍‍ 10 – 14 – 0   .417 25 – 27 – 0   .481
Houston Christian  ‍‍‍ 9 – 15 – 0   .375 20 – 33 – 0   .377
Incarnate Word  ‍‍‍ 8 – 16 – 0   .333 16 – 30 – 1   .351
Texas A&M–Commerce*  ‍‍‍ 5 – 19 – 0   .208 9 – 39 – 0   .188
* Ineligible for the 2023 NCAA tournament due to transition from Division II[1]
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of May 21, 2023[2]
Rankings from NFCA/USA Today

The 2023 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team represented Northwestern State University during the 2023 NCAA Division I softball season. The Lady Demons played their home games at Lady Demon Diamond and were led by fifteenth year head coach Donald Pickett. They are members of the Southland Conference.

Preseason

Southland Conference Coaches Poll

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on January 26, 2023. Northwestern State was picked to finish third in the Southland Conference with 91 votes.[3]

Coaches poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 McNeese State 128 (16)
2 Southeastern Louisiana 113 (2)
3 Northwestern State 91
4 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 85
5 Houston Christian 58
6 Lamar 49
7 Texas A&M–Commerce 47
8 Incarnate Word 45
9 Nicholls 32

Preseason All-Southland team

Two Lady Demons were named to the conference preseason first team, and three Lady Demons were named as second team members. [3]

First Team

  • Crislyne Moreno (MCNS, SO, 1st Base)
  • Caleigh Cross (MCNS, SR, 2nd Base)
  • Jil Poullard (MCNS, JR, 3rd Base)
  • Maddie Watson (SELA, SO, Shortstop)
  • Bailey Krolczyk (SELA, JR, Catcher)
  • Kaylee Lopez (MCNS, SR, Utility)
  • Audrey Greely (SELA, JR, Designated Player)
  • Laney Roos (NSU, JR, Outfielder)
  • Alayis Seneca (MCNS, SR, Outfielder)
  • Cam Goodman (SELA, JR, Outfielder)
  • Ashley Vallejo (MCNS, JR, Pitcher)
  • Bronte Rhoden (NSU, SR, Pitcher)

Second Team

  • Sydney Hoyt (TAMUCC, JR, 1st Base)
  • Madison Rayner (SELA, SR, 2nd Base)
  • Haylie Savage (HCU, SO, 3rd Base)
  • Ryleigh Mata (UIW, SO, Shortstop)
  • Tristin Court (NSU, JR, Catcher)
  • Melise Gossen (NICH, SR, Utility)
  • Chloe Gomez (MCNS, JR, Designated Player)
  • Alexa Poche (NICH, JR, Outfielder)
  • Makenzie Chaffin (NSU, JR, Outfielder)
  • Bailie Ragsdale (NSU, SO, Outfielder)
  • Lyndie Swanson (HCU, JR, Pitcher)
  • Siarah Galvan (TAMUCC, SO, Pitcher)

Roster

2023 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team
Players Coaches
# Pos. Name Bats/throws Height Year Home town
0 OF Vivica Hernandez L/L 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) So Fort Worth, Texas
2 OF Camryn Ford L/L 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) Fr Marthaville, Louisiana
4 C Ashlyn Walker R/R 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Jr Saginaw, Texas
6 OF Makenzie Chaffin L/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Jr Bossier City, Louisiana
7 RHP Bronte Rhoden R/R 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) Sr Plano, Texas
9 OF Laney Roos L/L 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) Jr Aubrey, Texas
10 INF Megan Risher L/L 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) Fr Benton, Louisiana
11 RHP Kenzie Seely R/R 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) Jr Whitney, Texas
12 INF Taylor Williams L/R 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) Jr Tom Bean, Texas
13 C Tristin Court R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Jr Rockwall, Texas
14 INF Keely DuBois R/R 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Jr Robeline, Louisiana
15 RHP Nana Vences Current redshirt R/R 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) RS Fr Marshall, Texas
17 INF Kat Marshall R/R 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Jr Brenham, Texas
18 RHP Rylie Denton L/R 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) Jr Rotan, Texas
22 OF Bailie Ragsdale L/R 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) So Lone Oak, Texas
23 OF Nani Winger Current redshirt R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) RS So Friendswood, Texas
24 RHP Haley Parker Current redshirt R/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) RS Fr Fort Worth, Texas
27 C Derika Castillo R/R 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) So Houston, Texas
28 RHP Maggie Darr Current redshirt R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) RS So Missouri City, Texas
33 C Lexie Roos R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Jr Aubrey, Texas
Head coach

Donald Pickett (UT Chattanooga)

Assistant coach(es)

Lexi Smith (Texas A&M)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: January 5, 2023

Schedule and results

Legend
  Northwestern State win
  Northwestern State loss
  Postponement/Cancellation
Bold Northwestern State team member
* Non-Conference game
† Make-Up Game
2023 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball game log
Regular season (25–27)
February (7–7)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC record
Bearkat Classic
Feb. 10 vs. UTSA* Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX 3–1 Darr, Maggie (1-0) GILBERT (0-1) Rhoden, Bronte (1) 105 1–0
Feb. 11 vs. Delaware* Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX 4–7 Shank (1-0) Darr, Maggie (0-1) Winburn (1) 155 1–1
Feb. 12 vs. South Dakota State* Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX 0–2 Lasey (2-0) Denton, Ryleigh (0-1) 150 1–2
Feb. 12 at Sam Houston State* Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX 1–2 GUIDON, EMMA (2-0) Darr, Maggie (1-2) 305 1–3
2023 Mardi Gras Mambo
Feb. 17 vs. St. Thomas* Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA 5–3 Seely, Kenzie (1-0) Keira Murphy (0-2) 102 2–3
Feb. 17 vs. Florida A&M* Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA 9–0
(5 inn)		 Darr, Maggie (2-2) Lauryn Peppers (0-2) 96 3–3
Feb. 18 vs. Manhattan* Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA 5–0 Denton, Ryleigh (1-1) VENEZIALE, Makayla (0-1) 68 4–3
Feb. 18 vs. Gardner–Webb* Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA 8–2 Rhoden, Bronte (1-0) KYLE, KALYN (1-1) 75 5–3
Feb. 19 vs. Toledo* Youngsville Sports Complex • Youngsville, LA 6–0 Darr, Maggie (3-2) HUNT, Erin (1-4) 89 6–3
Feb. 22 Grambling* Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 2–1 Darr, Maggie (3-2) Hodge, Jordan (0-1) Rhoden, Bronte (2) 437 7–3
North Texas Invitational
Feb. 25 vs. Wichita State* Lovelace Stadium • Denton, TX 1–7 HOWELL, L. (4-1) Denton, Ryleigh (1-2) 128 7–4
Feb. 25 at North Texas* Lovelace Stadium • Denton, TX 3–5 Savage, S. (3-0) Darr, Maggie (4-3) Peters, A. (1) 354 7–5
Feb. 26 vs. Wichita State* Lovelace Stadium • Denton, TX 2–5 AGUILAR, A. (3-1) Seely, Kenzie (1-1) 108 7–6
Feb. 26 at North Texas* Lovelace Stadium • Denton, TX 1–10
(6 inn)		 Peters, A. (4-3) Rhoden, Bronte (1-1) 400 7–7
March (10–8)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC record
Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission Lady Demon Classic
Mar. 3 Arkansas–Pine Bluff* Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 9–1
(5 inn)		 Seely, Kenzie (2-1) LeeAnn Raney (0-3) ESPN+ 689 8–7
Mar. 4 Jackson State* Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 8–0
(5 inn)		 Darr, Maggie (5-3) Victoria Salazar (2-3) ESPN+ 368 9–7
Mar. 5 Arkansas–Pine Bluff* Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 1–0 Darr, Maggie (5-3) Sydney Green (2-4) ESPN+ 169 10–7
Mar. 5 Jackson State* Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 6–1 Denton, Ryleigh (2-2) Marissa Medina (2-1) Seely, Kenzie (1) ESPN+ 148 11–7
Mar. 11 Lamar Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 2–8 Mitchell, Karyana (4-9) Darr, Maggie (6-4) ESPN+ 248 11–8 0–1
Mar. 11 Lamar Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 5–4 Seely, Kenzie (3-1) Niedenthal, Cameron (2-2) ESPN+ 246 12–8 1–1
Mar. 12 Lamar Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 1–6 Ruiz, Aaliyah (3-6) Denton, Ryleigh (2-3) ESPN+ 187 12–9 1–2
Mar. 14 at Louisiana Tech* Lady Techster Softball Complex • Ruston, LA 0–5 MELNYCHUK, B (4-2) Darr, Maggie (6-5) CUSAtv 677 12–10
Memphis Tiger Classic
Mar. 17 vs. Indiana* Tiger Softball Complex • Memphis, TN 2–4 Copeland (8-0) Denton, Ryleigh (2-4) 155 12–11
Mar. 17 at Memphis* Tiger Softball Complex • Memphis, TN 6–3 Rhoden, Bronte (2-1) Siems, Halli (3-11) Darr, Maggie (1) 207 13–11
Mar. 18 vs. Indiana* Tiger Softball Complex • Memphis, TN 6–11 Copeland (9-0) Seely, Kenzie (3-2) 150 13–12
Mar. 19 vs. Memphis* Tiger Softball Complex • Memphis, TN 15–5
(5 inn)		 Denton, Ryleigh (3-4) Hoschak, Mik (0-5) 250 14–12
Mar. 24 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA 6–5 Darr, Maggie (7-5) McNeill, Audrey (7-5) ESPN+ 131 15–12 2–2
Mar. 24 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Sources Park • Thibodaux, LA 3–1 Seely, Kenzie (4-2) Yoo, Molly (7-4) ESPN+ 102 16–12 3–2
Mar. 25 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Sources Park • Thibodaux, LA 3–4
(8 inn)		 Yoo, Molly (8-4) Rhoden, Bronte (2-2) ESPN+ 127 16–13 3–3
Mar. 28 Louisiana Tech* Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 1–5 FLOYD, Allie (3-4) Seely, Kenzie (4-3) ESPN+ 248 16–14
Mar. 31 Houston Christian Lady Demon Diamond • Natchtoches, LA 8–0
(5 inn)		 Darr, Maggie (8-5) Janes, Katy (5-7) ESPN+ 178 17–14 4–3
Mar. 31 Houston Christian Lady Demon Diamond • Natchtoches, LA 1–2 Swanson, Lyndie (7-5) Seely, Kenzie (4-4) ESPN+ 163 17–15 4–4
April (7–7)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC record
Apr. 1 Houston Christian Lady Demon Diamond • Natchtoches, LA 6–1 Darr, Maggie (9-5) Janes, Katy (5-8) ESPN+ 205 19–15 5–4
Apr. 7 at McNeese Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA 7–6 Darr, Maggie (10-5) Davis, Lindsay (3-2) ESPN+ 20–15 6–4
Apr. 7 at McNeese Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA 0–4 Vallejo, Ashley (8-7) Seely, Kenzie (4-5) ESPN+ 687 20–16 6–5
Apr. 8 at McNeese Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA 0–2 Vallejo, Ashley (9-7) Darr, Maggie (10-6) Davis, Lindsay (4) ESPN+ 707 20–17 6–6
Apr. 11 at Grambling* GSU Softball Complex • Grambling, LA 9–1 Darr, Maggie (11-6) Lauren Ervin (1-1) 89 21–17
Apr. 14 at Incarnate Word H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX 2–3
(10 inn)		 Portillo, S (0-0) Darr, Maggie (0-0) ESPN+ 67 21–18 7–8
Apr. 14 at Incarnate Word H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX 9–5 Denton, Ryleigh (4-4) MYERS, N (0-0) Rhoden, Bronte (3) ESPN+ 120 21–19 8–8
Apr. 15 at Incarnate Word H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX 3–11
(5 inn)		 GUNTHER, A (0-0) Seely, Kenzie (0-0) ESPN+ 83 21–19 8–9
Apr. 21 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 2–1 Darr, Maggie (12-7) Aholelei, Primrose (15-10) ESPN+ 189 21–19 8–9
Apr. 21 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 6–3 Seely, Kenzie (5-6) Galvan, Siarah (3-3) Denton, Ryleigh (1) ESPN+ 138 22–19 9–9
Apr. 22 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 1–5 Aholelei, Primrose (16-10) Darr, Maggie (12-8) ESPN+ 208 23–20 9–9
Apr. 28 at Texas A&M–Commerce John Cain Family Softball Complex • Commerce, TX 0–2 Sanchez, J. (6-12) Darr, Maggie (12-9) ESPN+ 173 23–21 9–10
Apr. 28 at Texas A&M–Commerce John Cain Family Softball Complex • Commerce, TX 5–4 Seely, Kenzie (6-6) Sanchez, J. (6-13) Denton, Ryleigh (2) ESPN+ 24–21 10–10
Apr. 29 at Texas A&M–Commerce John Cain Family Softball Complex • Commerce, TX 3–4 Sanchez, J. (7-13) Rhoden, Bronte (2-3) Arredondo, A (1) ESPN+ 236 24–22 10–11
May (0–3)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC record
May. 5 Southeastern Louisiana Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 5–7 DuBois, Ellie (1-0) Denton, Ryleigh (4-5) ESPN+ 206 24–23 10–12
May. 5 Southeastern Louisiana Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 0–3 Blanchard, Cera (16-6) Seely, Kenzie (6-7) ESPN+ 208 24–24 10–13
May. 6 Southeastern Louisiana Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA 1–7 DuBois, Ellie (2-0) Rhoden, Bronte (2-4) Comeaux, MC (4) ESPN+ 185 24–25 10–14
Post-Season (1–2)
Southland Tournament (1–2)
Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament record
May 9 vs. (3) Nicholls (6) Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA 8–2
(8 inn)		 Seely, Kenzie (7-7) Yoo, M. (12-11) ESPN+ 457 25–25 1–0
May 10 vs. (2) Southeastern Louisiana (6) Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA 1–13
(5 inn)		 Ladner, KK (15-1) Seely, Kenzie (7-8) ESPN+ 394 25–26 1–1
May 11 vs. (4) Lamar (6) Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA 4–5 Ruiz, Aaliyah (13-11) Darr, Maggie (12-10) Ben Karim, Fadwa (1) ESPN+ 25–27 1–2
Schedule Source:[4]*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.

References

  1. ^ "Texas A&M University-Commerce Officially Joins NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference". Texas A&M University-Commerce. July 1, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. ^ "Southland Conference Softball Standings". Southland.org. Southland Conference. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "McNeese predicted to win 2023 softball race; Preseason poll and all-conference teams announced". Southland Conference. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  4. ^ "2023 Lady Demon Softball Schedule". Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  • v
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Northwestern State Lady Demons softball
Venues
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