2021 Houston Baptist Huskies softball team

2021 Houston Baptist Huskies softball
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	22–17 (15–12 Southland)
Head coach	Mary-Ellen Hall (30th season)
Assistant coaches	Roger Willhite Natali Duron
Home stadium	Husky 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 Houston Baptist Huskies softball team represented Houston Baptist University during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. The Huskies played their home games at Husky Field and were led by thirtieth year head coach Mary-Ellen Hall. They were members of the Southland Conference.

Preseason

Southland Conference Coaches Poll

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 5, 2021. Houston Baptist was picked to finish tenth in the Southland Conference with 81 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
Abriana Garcia	Utility	Houston, Texas	Cypress Lake HS
Breana Herrera	Infielder	Corpus Christi, Texas	Mary Carroll HS
Haylie Savage	Utility	Angleton, Texas	Angleton HS

Roster

2021 Houston Baptist Huskies roster
	Pitchers 7 Madison Cotton - Redshirt Freshman 9 Elliott Estes - Junior 21 Sarah Venker - Sophomore 22 Jessica Patak - Junior 33 Lyndie Swanson - Redshirt Freshman Outfielders 5 Riley Bullen - Senior 26 Riley Martin - Freshman 32 Sierra Humphrey - Junior		Catchers 1 Jasie Roberts - Redshirt Freshman 15 Heidi Jaquez - Senior 23 Caitlyn Brockway - Sophomore Infielders 2 Baylee Chandler - Freshman 3 Kaicey Hagler - Freshman 8 Shelby Echols - Redshirt Freshman 11 Autumn Sydlik - Sophomore Utility 4 Avery Drake - Redshirt Freshman 14 Kamryn Parker - Senior 20 Katy Janes - Freshman 27 Jackie Jessup - Freshman

Coaching staff

2021 Houston Baptist Huskies coaching staff
Mary-Ellen Hall – Head Coach – 29th year Roger Willhite – Assistant Head Coach – 21st year Natali Duron – Assistant Head Coach – 2nd year Shae Bibby – Volunteer Assistant Coach

Schedule and results

Legend
	Houston Baptist win
	Houston Baptist loss
	Postponement/Cancellation
Bold	Houston Baptist team member

2021 Houston Baptist Huskies softball game log
Regular season (22-16)
February (5-1) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record Black & Gold Invitational Feb. 12 vs. North Dakota Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Hattiesburg Feb. 13 at Southern Miss Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Hattiesburg Feb. 13 vs. SIU Edwardsville Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Hattiesburg Feb. 13 vs. SIU Edwardsville Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Hattiesburg Feb. 20 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA W 9-4 Patak (1-0) Moon (1-1) None 101 1-0 Feb. 20 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park• Thibodaux, LA W 5-3 Cotton (1-0) LaBure (2-1) None 96 2-0 Feb. 26 UHV Husky Field • Houston, TX W 5-0 Cotton (2-0) Kristoff (0-1) None 103 3-0 Feb. 26 UHV Husky Field • Houston, TX W 5-0 Patak (2-0) Cowan (0-1) None 98 4-0 Feb. 28 at Southern Miss Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS W 2-0 Venker (1-0) Leinstock (3-1) None 5-0 Feb. 28 at Southern Miss Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS L 2-3 Pierce (2-1) Patak (1-1) None 5-1
March (4-8) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record Mar. 6 Prairie View A&M Husky Field • Houston, TX W 12-1 (5 inns) Patak (3-1) Hall (0-1) None 120 6-1 Mar. 6 Prairie View A&M Husky Field • Houston, TX W 11-0 (5 inns) Venker (2-0) Fucci (0-1) None 110 7-1 Mar. 12 Abilene Christian Husky Field • Houston, TX L 2-4 Bradley (2-6) Patak (2-3) None 80 7-2 0-1 Mar. 12 Abilene Christian Husky Field • Houston, TX W 10-6 Swanson (1-0) Harris (0-1) None 60 8-2 1-1 Mar. 13 Abilene Christian Husky Field • Houston, TX L 0-4 Bradley (3-6) Patak (3-3) None 45 8-3 1-2 Mar. 16 at Texas A&M Davis Diamond • College Station, TX L 0-6 Poynter (5-0) Patak (3-4) None 315 8-4 Mar. 19 Southeastern Louisiana Husky Field • Houston, TX L 1-2 Zumo (8-2) Patak (3-5) DuBois (2) 95 8-5 1-3 Mar. 19 Southeastern Louisiana Husky Field • Houston, TX W 6-5 Swanson (2-0) Hannabas (0-3) None 90 9-5 2-3 Mar. 20 Southeastern Louisiana Husky Field • Houston, TX L 4-9 Zumo (9-2) Janes (0-1) None 55 9-6 2-4 Mar. 26 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 1-2 Howell (5-3) Patak (3-6) None 300 9-7 2-5 Mar. 26 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 1-5 Delafield (5-1) Venker (2-1) None 300 9-8 2-6 Mar. 27 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 2-7 Rhoden (4-2) Patak (3-7) None 200 9-9 2-7
April (10-5) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record Apr. 2 at Sam Houston State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 8-0 (6 inns) Patak (4-7) Dunn (4-5) None 109 10-9 3-7 Apr. 2 at Sam Houston State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 2-0 Swanson (3-0) Vento (3-5) None 109 11-9 4-7 Apr. 3 at Sam Houston State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 1-4 Bachmeyer (1-1) Janes (0-2) Vento (1) 111 11-10 4-8 Apr. 9 Incarnate Word Husky Field • Houston, TX W 6-4 Patak (5-7) Trapp (3-5) None 40 12-10 5-8 Apr. 9 Incarnate Word Husky Field • Houston, TX W 5-1 Swanson (4-0) Gunther (4-7) None 30 13-10 6-8 Apr. 10 Incarnate Word Husky Field • Houston, TX W 7-2 Swanson (5-0) Floyd (2-4) None 45 14-10 7-8 Apr. 13 at Prairie View A&M Lady Panther Softball Field • Prairie View, TX L 4-7 Fucci (1-0) Estes (0-1) Hall (2) 28 14-11 Apr. 17 Central Arkansas Husky Field • Houston, TX L 2-5 Johnson (9-4) Patak (5-8) None 50 14-12 7-9 Apr. 17 Central Arkansas Husky Field • Houston, TX W 1-0 Swanson (6-0) Beaver (13-6) None 50 15-12 8-9 Apr. 18 Central Arkansas Husky Field • Houston, TX W 2-1 Patak (5-8) Johnson (9-4) None 16-12 9-9 Apr. 24 Lamar Husky Field • Houston, TX W 9-2 Patak (6-8) Mixon (1-10) None 57 17-12 10-9 Apr. 24 Lamar Husky Field • Houston, TX W 2-1 Swanson (8-0) Ruiz (0-3) None 150 18-12 11-9 Apr. 25 Lamar Husky Field • Houston, TX W 7-0 Venker (3-1) Mixon (2-14) None 115 19-12 12-9 Apr. 28 at RV Texas State Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX L 2-4 Mullins (16-6) Patak (6-9) None 234 19-13 Apr. 30 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX L 3-4 Lara (13-9) Swanson (8-1) None 109 19-14 12-10
May (3-2) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record May 2 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX W 2-1 Swanson (9-1) Lara (13-10) None 155 20-14 13-10 May 2 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX W 2-0 Patak (7-9) McNeill (1-7) None 155 21-14 14-10 May 7 at Stephen F. Austin SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX W 3-1 Patak (8-9) Wilbur (28-4) None 143 22-14 15-10 May 7 at Stephen F. Austin SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX L 4-5 Chism (3-1) Swanson (9-2) Wilbur (3) 116 22-15 15-11 May 8 at Stephen F. Austin SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX L 0-1 Wilbur (29-4) Patak (8-10) None 135 22-16 15-12
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 (7) Sam Houston State (6) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 3-4 Dunn (8-11) Swanson (9-3) None ESPN+ 172 22-17 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. "SB: HBU Signs Three Early". Houston Baptist University Athletics. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
5. "2021 Softball Schedule". Houston Baptist University Athletics. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
6. "SFA's Kassidy Wilbur Named Southland Player of the Year". www.southland.org. Retrieved January 6, 2022.