HAMMOND, La. – The two-time reigning Southland Conference Tournament champion Southeastern Louisiana University softball team placed three of its top players on the 2026 D1Softball Preseason Mid-Major Top 100, released by D1Softball Monday.
 
The list ranked the top Division I players from non-P4 conferences heading into the 2026 season. Representing SLU were pitcher Macie LaRue (No. 54 on the list), third baseman Maria Detillier (No. 82) and pitcher Cera Blanchard (No. 90).
 
LaRue was named All-Gulf Region, Louisiana Pitcher of the Year and Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year after her debut last spring in Hammond. The Lovelady, Texas native finished 19-3 with a 2.29 ERA, holding opponents to a .246 batting average and striking out 128 in 149.2 innings pitched.
 
The reigning Southeastern Female Athlete of the Year and SLC Student-Athlete of the Year, Detillier was an All-Southland and All-Louisiana selection in 2025. The Gramercy, Louisiana native is coming off a junior season that saw her hit .365 with 43 runs scored, 69 hits, 15 doubles, six triples, four home runs, 55 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
 
Blanchard is back for her second stint with SLU after finishing 22-3 last season at Division II national champion UT Tyler. The Metairie, Louisiana native capped her first run in Hammond in 2024, finishing 18-3 with a 1.77 ERA and four saves, striking out 111 and holding opponents to a .196 batting average in 146.0 innings pitched.
 
The Lady Lion trio were three of five Southland Conference student-athletes on the list, along with UIW outfielder Victoria Altamirano (No. 33) and McNeese pitcher Maddie Taylor (No. 87).
 
Southeastern will open the 2026 season Feb. 5 versus Clemson in the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball on X and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook.
 
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern offers mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.