NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State softball led the Southland Conference with four selections to the league's preseason teams, the league announced Wednesday.

Junior utility E.C. Delafield and second baseman Cayla Jones made the first team, and senior outfielder Elise Vincent and sophomore catcher Alexis Perry appeared on the second team as selected by the league's coaches.

Delafield was a first teamer at the end of 2019 season, joined by Jones (second team) and Vincent (third team).

Jones is making her second appearance on the league's preseason team.

As a sophomore, Jones ranked in the top 11 in the league in eight different offensive categories. The sophomore led her team with a .335 batting average, 41 runs scored, 35 RBIs, 11 doubles, nine home runs and 36 walks drawn.

Delafield excelled as a pitcher and a hitter and a sophomore. In the circle, the Stonewall native compiled a 10-4 record with a 2.49 ERA, both team bests. At the plate, she hit .272 with four home runs and 17 RBIs.

Vincent made a push in SLC play, finishing her season with a .304 batting average, 19 runs scored and 18-21 in stolen bases.

Perry was one of the SLC's best freshman, hitting .300 toward the end of the season before finishing at .288. She was a productive bat in the middle of the lineup with 30 RBIs and six home runs.

The Lady Demons will attempt to build on its 30-27 record (15-12 SLC) and its 2-0 start in the conference tournament.

NSU begins its season Feb. 8 in a four-game weekend at the Houston Invitational.
 
2020 Preseason First Team
Name                             Class      Pos.                                School          Hometown
Kaylyn Shepherd*        Sr.           1B                      Central Arkansas          Mechanicsville, Va.
Cayla Jones*              Jr.            2B                       Northwestern State    Missouri City, Texas
Cylla Hill*                      Sr.           3B                      Central Arkansas          Henryetta, Okla.
Tiffany Thompson*      Sr.           SS                   Sam Houston State          Montgomery, Texas.
Ella Manzer*                 Jr.           C                              Southeastern          Alexandria, La.
Jade Lewis*                   Jr.           DP                                        Lamar          Mount Belvieu, Texas
Megan McDonald*       Sr.           OF                  Sam Houston State          Georgetown, Texas
Madisen Blackford*     Jr.           OF                            Southeastern          Des Moines, Iowa
Kayla Crutchmer*         Sr.           OF                      Central Arkansas          Tulsa, Okla.
Kassidy Wilbur*            So.          P                       Stephen F. Austin          Bridge City, Texas
Alley McDonald*          Sr.           P                              Southeastern          Whitehouse, Tenn.
Alexsandra Flores         Sr.           P                                      McNeese          Lufkin, Texas
E.C. Delafield*               Jr.           UT                Northwestern State          Stonewall, La.

Second Team
Name                             Class       Pos.                                     School          Hometown
Sam Dares*                   Sr.           1B                                     Nicholls          Metairie, La.
Bryana Novegil*           Sr.           2B                     Stephen F. Austin          Houston, Texas
Brooke Malia                 Jr.            2B                  Sam Houston State          Houston, Texas
Caitlin Garcia*              Jr.            3B                                     Nicholls          Spring, Texas
Cory McCrary*              Sr.           SS                                    McNeese          McCarley, Miss.
Alexis Perry                   So.          C                  Northwestern State          Wylie, Texas
Samantha Bradley*      Sr.           DP                      Abilene Christian          Azle, Texas
Kaylee Lopez*               So.          OF                                   McNeese          Indian Bayou, La.
Elise Vincent*               Sr.           OF                 Northwestern State          Maurice, La.
Linsey Tomlinson*       Sr.           OF                      Abilene Christian          Huffman, Texas
Ashley Kriesel*              Jr.            P                       Stephen F. Austin          Houston, Texas
Sammi Thomas*          So.           UT                Texas A&M-CC                    Buford, Ga.