# 2023 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team

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.
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.

#### 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)

## 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 | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall 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 | 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 | 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 | 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:*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.