PRAIRIE VIEW – The Prairie View A&M softball team opens the 2020 campaign with a trip to Lake Charles, La. to participate in the McNeese State-hosted Cowgirl Classic at Joe Miller Field, starting at noon Friday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Following that contest, the Lady Panthers take on North Texas at 2 p.m. to conclude their day one slate. On Saturday, Prairie View A&M faces Ball State at 1 p.m. and host McNeese State at 5 p.m., and on Sunday, the Lady Panthers conclude with an 11 a.m. matchup versus Texas-San Antonio.

Prairie View A&M enters the 2020 campaign looking to build on a 30-win season in 2019 that resulted in a run to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament Semifinals. Led by senior pitcher and reigning SWAC Pitcher of the Year Crystal Castillo, the Lady Panthers are expected to once again contend for the league crown in search of their second title in the past three years.

Though tasked with replacing one of the most productive senior classes in program history, the Lady Panthers return several key contributors and along with Castillo, saw five players named to the Preseason All-SWAC Softball Teams: senior Gabrielle Fonseca, sophomore Serena Antone, senior Cameron Lavergne and senior Daneisha Hinton.

Cowgirl Classic Schedule:
FRIDAY, FEB. 7
Noon - Arkansas Pine Bluff vs. Prairie View A&M
2 p.m.- North Texas vs. Prairie View A&M
4 p.m.- McNeese vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff
6 p.m.- McNeese vs. North Texas
SATURDAY, FEB. 8
1 p.m.- Prairie View A&M vs. Ball State
3 p.m.- McNeese vs. Ball State
5 p.m.- Prairie View A&M vs. McNeese
SUNDAY, FEB. 9
11 a.m.- UTSA vs. Prairie View A&M
1 p.m.- McNeese vs. North Texas

Designated HOME team listed first

Scouting the Opposition:
- McNeese returns seven starters, six seniors and four pitchers from a team that went 33-32 a year ago and advanced to the National Invitational Softball Championship finals. Chosen to finish third in the Southland Conference preseason poll, the Cowgirls had three players earn Preseason All-Southland honors: Cori McCrary, Alexsandra Flores and Kaylee Lopez.

- UAPB looks to rebound from a tough 2019 campaign. The Lady Lions return two starters to the fold, including preseason all-SWAC selection Shanice Akins.

- Ball State returns eight starters from last year's 34-win team and were tabbed to finish third in the Mid-American Conference preseason polls. In addition, they have one of the better pitchers in the country in Alyssa Rothwell, who accounted for a nation-leading 14 saves in 2019.

- North Texas comes into 2020 hoping to make good on Conference-USA's preseason prognostications that have the Mean Green as the league favorite after posting a 35-19 record last season. A name to watch is Hope Trautwein, the preseason C-USA Pitcher of the Year.

- UTSA comes in looking to build on a 21-win season in 2019. Though the C-USA preseason polls don't have the Roadrunners projected to finish in the top half of the standings, the Roadrunners do have a considerable amount of experience returning in the form of 13 letterwinners.

How to Follow:
- All games set for Friday and Sunday will be streamed HERE for a fee (log-in/subscription info may be required). Live Stats will be available for all games.