From January 3 through the beginning of the regular season, we’re going to take a look at every Division 1 conference and Forecast what to expect in each league this season. Today, we take a look at the Southland Conference.
I. Conference Breakdown
Seven teams currently play softball in the Southland. Those programs include Houston Baptist, Incarnate Word, McNeese, Nicholls, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
One of the leagues most decimated by the recent conference realignments, the Southland lost a total of five teams to other leagues. Central Arkansas realigned to the ASun, while Abilene Christian, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, and Sam Houston State all moved to the WAC.
Texas A&M-Commerce is scheduled to join the Southland this summer; Incarnate Word will depart for the WAC at the same time.
Last season, Stephen F. Austin won the conference regular-season crown, losing just two games within league play. Central Arkansas and McNeese played for the conference tournament championship, with the McNeese Cowgirls emerging victorious and earning the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.