2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats softball team

2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats softball
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	14–33 (10–17 Southland)
Head coach	Abigail Farler (2nd season)
Assistant coaches	Jessica Twaddle Caty Reeves
Home stadium	Poly Wells Field
Seasons ← 2020 2022 →

2021 Southland Conference softball standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		PCT			W		L		PCT
Stephen F. Austin  ‍†‍‍	25	–	2		.926			35	–	12		.745
Central Arkansas  ‍‍‍	21	–	6		.778			37	–	19		.661
McNeese State  ‍‍‡‍y	18	–	9		.667			35	–	26		.574
Northwestern State  ‍‍‍	16	–	11		.593			24	–	22		.522
Southeastern Louisiana  ‍‍‍	14	–	10		.583			28	–	23		.549
Houston Baptist  ‍‍‍	15	–	12		.556			22	–	17		.564
Sam Houston State  ‍‍‍	14	–	13		.519			19	–	31		.380
Abilene Christian  ‍‍‍	10	–	17		.370			14	–	33		.298
Incarnate Word  ‍‍‍	9	–	18		.333			16	–	27		.372
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi  ‍‍‍	8	–	16		.333			18	–	30		.375
Nicholls  ‍‍‍	5	–	22		.185			12	–	28		.300
Lamar  ‍‍‍	4	–	23		.148			8	–	43		.157
† – Conference champion ‡ – Tournament champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of May 22, 2021 [1] Rankings from NFCA

The 2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats softball team represented Abilene Christian University during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. The Wildcats played their home games at Poly Wells Field and were led by second-year head coach Abigail Farler. They were members of the Southland Conference.

Preseason

Southland Conference Coaches Poll

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 5, 2021. Abilene Christian was picked to finish ninth in the Southland Conference with 82 votes. ^[2]

Coaches poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Stephen F. Austin	235 (17)
2	McNeese State	217 (4)
3	Southeastern Louisiana	183
4	Sam Houston State	172 (1)
5	Central Arkansas	162 (1)
6	Northwestern State	156 (1)
7	Nicholls	131
8	Lamar	86
9	Abilene Christian	82
10	Houston Baptist	81
11	Texas A&M–Corpus Christi	47
12	Incarnate Word	32

Preseason All-Southland team

^[3]

First Team

• Kaylyn Shephard (UCA, R-SR, 1st Base)
• Cayla Joens (NSU, JR, 2nd Base)
• Cylla Hall (UCA, R-SR, 3rd Base)
• Cori McCrary (MCNS, SR, Shortstop)
• Ella Manzer (SELA, SR, Catcher)
• Samantha Bradley (ACU, R-SR, Designated Player)
• Linsey Tomlinson (ACU, R-SR, Outfielder)
• Kaylee Lopez (MCNS, SO, Outfielder)
• Elise Vincent (NSU, SR, Outfielder)
• Madisen Blackford (SELA, SR, Outfielder)
• Megan McDonald (SHSU, SR, Outfielder)
• Kayla Beaver (UCA, R-FR, Pitcher)
• Kassidy Wilbur (SFA, JR, Pitcher)
• E. C. Delafield (NSU, JR, Utility)

Second Team

• Shaylon Govan (SFA, SO, 1st Base)
• Brooke Malia (SHSU, SR, 2nd Base)
• Bryana Novegil (SFA, SR, 2nd Base)
• Caitlin Garcia (NICH, JR, 3rd Base)
• Alex Hudspeth (SFA, JR, Shortstop)
• Alexis Perry (NSU, SO, Catcher)
• Bailey Richards (SFA, SR, Catcher)
• Caitlyn Brockway (HBU, SO, Designated Player)
• Reagan Sperling (UCA, R-JR, Outfielder)
• Alayis Seneca (MCNS, SO, Outfielder)
• Hayley Barbazon (NSU, SR, Outfielder)
• Saleen Flores (MCNS, SO, Pitcher)
• MC Comeaux (SELA, FR, Pitcher)
• Sammi Thomas (TAMUCC, SO, Utility)

National Softball Signing Day

^[4]

Player	Position	Hometown	Previous Team
Hannah Benavides	Pitcher	Deer Park, Texas	Deer Park HS
Alivia Benavidez	Outfielder	Salem, Oregon	South Salem HS
Mckenley Clark	Outfielder	Waco, Texas	Midway HS
Logan Gaspar	Shortstop	Kapolei, Hawaii	Maryknoll HS
Rose Gonzales	Shortstop	Grand Prairie, Texas	South Grand Prairie HS
Miranda Lista	Catcher/Utility	Chino Hills, California	Santa Margarita Catholic HS
Isabel Martinez	Outfielder	Dale, Texas	Cedar Creek HS
Mikhia Volley	Infielder	McDonough, Georgia	Ola HS

Roster

2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats roster
	Pitchers 15 Riley White - Freshman 28 Alivia Sinnott - Junior 33 Samantha Bradley - Redshirt Senior Outfielders 1 Blakeli Brookreson - Senior 4 Linsey Tomlinson - Redshirt Senior 10 Caroline Adair - Redshirt Senior 22 Maya Saneishi - Sophomore Utility 9 Donelle Johnson - Redshirt Senior 77 Val Rudd - Sophomore		Catchers 20 Kayla Keeling - Senior 11 Sydney Kaiser - Freshman 13 Avery Miloch - Freshman 24 Braeland Booth - Junior Infielders 5 Shaylee Alani - Sophomore 6 Moriah Ortiz - Redshirt Sophomore 7 Briana Tijerina - Senior 8 Katelyn Belch - Senior 19 Calie Burris - Senior 25 Miranda Davila - Freshman 29 Paige Harris - Freshman

Coaching staff

2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats coaching staff
Abigail Farler – Head Coach – 2nd year Jessica Twaddle – Assistant Head Coach – 3rd year Caty Reeves – Assistant Head Coach – 2nd year Sam Woodley – Graduate Assistant Coach – 1st year

Schedule and results

Legend
	Abilene Christian win
	Abilene Christian loss
	Postponement/Cancellation
Bold	Abilene Christian team member

2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats softball game log
Regular season (14-32)
February (3-9) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record Miner Invitational Feb. 11 at UTEP Helen of Troy Softball Complex • El Paso, TX W 13-6 Bradley (1-0) Calderon (0-1) None 1-0 Feb. 11 vs. No. 4 Oklahoma Helen of Troy Softball Complex • El Paso, TX L 0-9 (5 inns) May (1-0) White (0-1) None 1-1 Feb. 12 vs. No. 4 Oklahoma Helen of Troy Softball Complex • El Paso, TX L 0-11 (6 inns) Juarez (2-0) Sinnott (0-1) None 1-2 Feb. 12 at UTEP Helen of Troy Softball Complex • El Paso, TX W 6-0 White (1-1) Kelly (0-1) None 65 2-2 Maverick Classic Feb. 21 vs. Texas State Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington Feb. 21 at UT Arlington Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington Feb. 22 vs. Texas State Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington Feb. 22 vs. No. 20 Arkansas Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington Feb. 22 at Texas State Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX L 0-6 Mullins (1-0) White (1-2) None ESPN+ 201 2-3 Feb. 22 at Texas State Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX L 2-6 King (1-0) Bradley (1-1) None ESPN+ 201 2-4 Feb. 23 at North Texas Lovelace Stadium • Denton, TX L 2-10 (5 inns) Worthington (1-0) Bradley (1-2) None CUSA.TV 91 2-5 Feb. 26 at Houston Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX L 5-6 Hertenberger (2-1) White (1-3) None ESPN+ 64 2-6 Feb. 27 at Texas Southern Memorial Park • Houston, TX L 5-6 Reyes (1-2) Bradley (1-3) None 83 2-7 Feb. 27 at Texas Southern Memorial Park • Houston, TX W 8-3 White (2-3) Gendorf (0-2) None 90 3-7 Feb. 28 at Houston Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX L 8-10 Lee (2-1) Bradley (1-3) None 3-8 Feb. 28 at Houston Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX L 5-13 (5 inns) Hudson (3-1) White (2-4) None 3-9
March (4-12) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record Mar. 3 Tarleton State Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 6-4 White (3-4) Erwin (0-3) None 246 4-9 Texas Tech Invitational Mar. 6 vs. Kansas City Rocky Johnson Field • Lubbock, TX L 3-6 Hoveland (5-1) Bradley (1-5) None 250 4-10 Mar. 6 at Texas Tech Rocky Johnson Field • Lubbock, TX L 0-1 Zoch (4-2) White (3-5) None ESPN+ 250 4-11 Mar. 7 vs. Kansas City Rocky Johnson Field • Lubbock, TX L 3-4 Stickel (5-0) White (3-6) None 250 4-12 Mar. 7 at Texas Tech Rocky Johnson Field • Lubbock, TX L 2-7 Edmoundson (4-4) Bradley (1-6) None ESPN+ 250 4-13 Mar. 12 at Houston Baptist Husky Field • Houston, TX W 4-2 Bradley (2-6) Patak (3-2) None 80 5-13 1-0 Mar. 12 at Houston Baptist Husky Field • Houston, TX L 6-10 Swanson (1-0) Harris (0-1) None 60 5-14 1-1 Mar. 13 at Houston Baptist Husky Field • Houston, TX W 4-0 Bradley (3-6) Patak (3-3) None 45 6-14 2-1 Mar. 17 at Tarleton State Tarleton Softball Complex • Stephenville, TX L 0-1 Bridges (3-7) Bradley (3-7) None 352 6-15 Mar. 19 Central Arkansas Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 0-7 Beaver (7-3) Bradley (3-8) None 250 6-16 2-2 Mar. 19 Central Arkansas Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 0-8 (6 inns) Johnson (4-4) White (3-7) None 250 6-17 2-3 Mar. 20 Central Arkansas Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 2-15 (5 inns) Beaver (8-3) Bradley (3-9) None 250 6-18 2-4 Mar. 26 at Southeastern Louisiana North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 2-6 Hannabas (1-3) Bradley (3-10) None ESPN+ 245 6-19 2-5 Mar. 26 at Southeastern Louisiana North Oak Park • Hammond, LA W 5-4 White (4-7) DuBois (0-2) None ESPN+ 245 7-19 3-5 Mar. 27 at Southeastern Louisiana North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 0-5 Zumo (10-2) Bradley (3-11) None ESPN+ 233 7-20 3-6 Mar. 30 North Texas Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 2-11 Wall (7-4) White (4-8) None 212 7-21
April (3–11) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record Apr. 2 Stephen F. Austin Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 1-9 (6 inns) Wilbur (15-3) Bradley (3-12) None 142 7-22 3-7 Apr. 2 Stephen F. Austin Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 5-10 Wilbur (16-3) White (4-9) None 142 7-23 3-8 Apr. 3 Stephen F. Austin Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 0-8 (5 inns) Wilbur (17-3) Sinnott (0-2) None 163 7-24 3-9 Apr. 6 at Baylor Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX Game Postponed Apr. 6 at Baylor Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX Game Postponed Apr. 9 Sam Houston State Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 10-13 Vento (4-4) Bradley (3-13) None 117 7-25 3-10 Apr. 9 Sam Houston State Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 3-9 Bachmeyer (2-5) White (4-10) None 117 7-26 3-11 Apr. 10 Sam Houston State Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 5-9 Vento (5-5) Harris (0-2) None 94 7-27 3-12 Apr. 16 at McNeese State Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA L 0-7 Tate (7-7) White (4-11) None 256 7-28 3-13 Apr. 16 at McNeese State Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA L 1-7 Edwards (6-1) White(4-12) None 256 7-29 3-14 Apr. 17 at McNeese State Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA L 0-8 (6 inns) Vallejo (3-5) Harris (0-3) None 297 7-30 3-15 Apr. 23 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA W 3-2 Bradley (4-13) LaBure (3-4) None 105 8-30 4-15 Apr. 23 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA L 1-3 Westbrook (3-7) White (4-13) None 137 8-31 4-16 Apr. 24 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA W 9-1 Bradley (5-13) Westbrook (3-8) None 201 9-31 5-16 Apr. 30 Incarnate Word Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 3-0 Bradley (6-13) Gunther (7-9) None 136 10-31 6-16 Apr. 30 Incarnate Word Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 2-4 Trapp (6-6) White (4-14) None 202 10-32 6-16
May (4-0) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record May 1 Incarnate Word Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 9-0 (5 inns) Bradley (7-13) Trapp (6-7) None 174 11-32 7-16 May 7 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 7-5 Bradley (8-13) Lara (13-11) None 248 12-32 8-16 May 7 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 5-3 Bradley (9-13) McNeill (1-8) None 248 13-32 9-16 May 8 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 10-9 Bradley (10-13) Johnson (0-1) None 361 14-32 10-16
Post-Season (0-1)
Southland Tournament (0-1) Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament record May 12 vs. (5) Southeastern Louisiana (8) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 3-4 Zumo (16-6) Bradley (10-14) None ESPN+ 222 14-33 0-1

Schedule source: ^[5]

*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.

Postseason

Conference accolades

• Player of the Year: Kassidy Wilbur – SFA
• Hitter of the Year: Shaylon Govan – SFA
• Pitcher of the Year: Kassidy Wilbur – SFA
• Freshman of the Year: Jenna Wildeman – UCA
• Newcomer of the Year: Jenna Edwards – MCNS
• Coach of the Year: Nicole Dickson – SFA

All Conference First Team Shaylon Govan (SFA) Bryana Novegil (SFA) Haylee Brinlee (MCNS) Cori McCrary (MCNS) Heidi Jaquez (HBU) E. C. Delafield (NSU) Mackenzie Bennett (SFA) Jenna Wildeman (UCA) Megan McDonald (SHSU) Aeriyl Mass (SELA) Kayla Beaver (UCA) Kassidy Wilbur (SFA)

All Conference Second Team Kaylyn Shephard (UCA) Mary Kate Brown (UCA) Lindsey Rizzo (SELA) Camryn Middlebrook (SFA) Hannah Scheaffer (SHSU) Gaby Garcia (SFA) Kaylee Lopez (MCNS) Donelle Johnson (ACU) Jil Poullard (MCNS) Audrey Greely (SELA) Jordan Johnson (UCA) Whitney Tate (MCNS)

All Conference Third Team Caitlyn Brockway (HBU) Cayla Jones (NSU) Alex Hedspeth (SFA) Ashlyn Reavis (NICH) Chloe Gomez (MCNS) Jasie Roberts (HBU) Anna Rodenberg (SELA) Kaitlyn St. Clair (NSU) Sheridan Fisher (SHSU) Pal Egan (TAMUCC) Lyndie Swanson (HBU) Heather Zumo (SELA)

References: ^[6]

References

1. "Southland Softball Standings". www.southland.org. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
2. "Ladyjacks Tabbed 2021 Softball Preseason Favorites". www.southland.org. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
3. "2021 Southland Preseason All-Conference Softball Teams Announced". www.southland.org. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
4. "Softball signs eight in '21 recruiting class". Abilene Christian University Athletics. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
5. "2021 Softball Schedule". Abilene Christian University Athletics. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
6. "SFA's Kassidy Wilbur Named Southland Player of the Year". www.southland.org. Retrieved January 6, 2022.