HAMMOND, La. – This week, Southeastern Louisiana University’s softball team is set to host Northwestern State for a crucial matchup in the Cypress Trophy series at North Oak Park. The doubleheader kicks off on Friday at 4 p.m. as part of Youth Sports Night, with the final game scheduled for Saturday at noon. You can catch all the action on ESPN+.
Since 2019, the winner of this series has taken home the Cypress Trophy. While Northwestern State claimed the title in 2019 and 2021, Southeastern has dominated in recent years, winning the series for the past four seasons.
Southeastern comes into this series with a strong momentum, boasting a nine-game winning streak. They have consistently showcased their hitting prowess, averaging double-digit hits during these victories, with the last six wins sealed by run rules.
Leading the squad is Shelby Morris, who has a remarkable .407 batting average with 31 runs and 44 hits. Other standouts include Cydnee Schneider (.382) and Colleen Kulivan (.375). Notably, eight players on the team are hitting above .300.
Southeastern also excels in speed; they lead the Southland Conference with 77 stolen bases. Morris tops the team with 15, followed closely by Cydnee Schneider, who has 12.
In terms of power, Maria Detillier has hit six home runs and driven in 28 runs, making her the team’s go-to slugger. The team shines nationally, leading in triples with 17, and Schneider ranks eighth in Division I for doubles with 12.
Pitching is another strong suit for the Lady Lions, featuring a team ERA of 1.98, which places them eighth in the nation. With 11 shutouts and holding opponents to a .190 batting average, pitchers like Cera Blanchard and Hallie Burns have played pivotal roles.
Conversely, Northwestern State brings its own strengths into the series. They have just scored a notable victory against McNeese, winning two out of three in their latest series. Their team is hitting .287, with Brynn Daniel leading the charge at .370.
Following this home series, Southeastern will embark on an eight-game road trip, starting with a nonconference tilt against ULM on March 24. This match will also be broadcast on ESPN+.
With the season in full swing, both teams are eager to secure vital wins as they aim for the top of the conference standings. This series promises to be an exciting chapter in their ongoing rivalry.
For updates and insights related to their games, you can follow @LionUpSoftball on X and Instagram.
