2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats softball team

2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats softball
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	19–31 (14–13 Southland)
Head coach	Garrett Valis (3rd season)
Assistant coaches	Tori Rivera Tess Soefje
Home stadium	Bearkat Softball Complex
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 Sam Houston State Bearkats softball team represented Sam Houston State University during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. The Bearkats played their home games at Bearkat Softball Complex and were led by third-year head coach Garrett Valis. They were members of the Southland Conference.

Preseason

Southland Conference Coaches Poll

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 5, 2021. Sam Houston State was picked to finish fourth in the Southland Conference with 172 votes and one first place vote. ^[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
Allison Saville	Infielder	Spring, Texas	Klein Oak HS
Brailey Wasik	Pitcher/Infielder	Burleson, Texas	Burleson HS
Jordan Peno	Outfielder/Catcher	Cypress, Texas	Cypress Creek HS
Brodie Quinlan	Infielder/Outfielder	Cypress, Texas	Bridgeland HS
Haleigh Carter	Infielder/Outfielder	Manvel, Texas	Shadow Creek HS
Kelsey Bunch	Catcher	League City, Texas	Clear Creek HS
Tricia Yarotsky	Infielder	Friendswood, Texas	Friendswood HS

Roster

2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats roster
	Pitchers 1 Regan Dunn – Sophomore 2 Taylor Bachmeyer – Freshman 10 Mika Vento – Freshman 24 Darby Fitzpatrick – Senior 25 Christine Billmeier – Freshman Outfielders 8 Brooklyn Devine – Redshirt Senior 13 Kayte Martinez – Senior 16 Megan McDonald – Senior 22 Sheridan Fisher – Junior		Catchers 7 Lauren Whitney – Freshman 15 Hannah Scheaffer – Freshman Infielders 4 Ellie Grill – Freshman 5 Kyndal Kutac – Sophomore 9 Kylie Hobbs – Freshman 11 Emily Telg – Freshman 14 Brooke Malia – Senior 21 Kenzi Lange – Freshman Utilities 3 Madison Dillon – Freshman 12 Courtney White – Freshman 18 Caitlyn Goodeaux – Freshman 42 Avery Tumey – Freshman

Coaching staff

2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats coaching staff
Garrett Valis – Head Coach – 3rd year Tori Rivera – Assistant Head Coach – 3rd year Tess Soefje – Assistant Head Coach – 2nd year Bob Biles – Director of Softball Operations

Schedule and results

Legend
	Sam Houston State win
	Sam Houston State loss
	Postponement/Cancellation
Bold	Sam Houston State team member

2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats softball game log
Regular season (18-29)
February (2-4) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC record Texas Classic Feb. 12 vs. Colorado State Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin Feb. 12 vs. No. 3 Arizona Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin Feb. 13 vs. Colorado State Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin Feb. 13 vs. No. 3 Arizona Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin Feb. 14 vs. No. 6 Texas Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin Bearkat Classic Feb. 20 No. 3 Oklahoma Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville Feb. 20 Louisiana–Monroe Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville Feb. 21 UTSA Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville Feb. 21 Louisiana–Monroe Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville Feb. 24 Houston Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 2-1 Vento (1-0) Hertenberger (1-2) None ESPN+ 104 1-0 Feb. 24 Houston Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 3-16 Hudson (2-0) Bachmeyer (0-1) None ESPN+ 105 1-1 Lone Star State Invitational Feb. 26 at No. 7 Texas Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX L 3-9 White (1-0) Bachmeyer (0-2) Day (1) LHN 1-2 Feb. 26 vs. Lamar Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX W 12-6 Dunn (1-0) Mixon (1-3) None LHN 2-2 Feb. 27 vs. Ole Miss Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX L 0-12 (5 inns) Tillmann (2-1) Vento (2-0) None 2-3 Feb. 27 vs. Texas State Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX L 3-10 McCann (2-0) Bachmeyer (0-3) None 313 2-4
March (5-14) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC record Mar. 3 Texas A&M Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 5-11 Poynter (2-0) Dunn (1-1) None 106 2-5 Courtyard Marriott Tournament Mar. 5 at No. 1 Oklahoma OU Softball Complex • Norman, OK L 0-7 May (5-0) Billmeier (0-1) None SoonerSports.TV 184 2-6 Mar. 6 vs. No. 18 Missouri OU Softball Complex • Norman, OK L 0-10 (5 inns) Dandola (1-0) Bachmeyer (1-2) None 100 2-7 Mar. 6 vs. Louisiana–Monroe OU Softball Complex • Norman, OK W 5-3 Vento (2-1) Williams (0-1) None 50 3-7 Mar. 7 vs. Louisiana–Monroe OU Softball Complex • Norman, OK L 6-8 Hulett (2-2) Dunn (1-2) None 100 3-8 Mar. 7 at No. 1 Oklahoma OU Softball Complex • Norman, OK L 0-17 (5 inns) Thiede (1-0) Fitzpatrick (0-2) None 200 3-9 Mar. 10 vs. BYU Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX L 2-12 Paulson (3-2) Dunn (2-2) None 272 3-10 Mar. 10 at RV Texas State Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX L 0-6 Mullins (4-2) Billmeier (0-2) None 272 3-11 Mar. 12 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christ, TX L 2-4 Lara (5-1) Vento (2-2) None 134 3-12 0-1 Mar. 12 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX W 6-0 Dunn (2-3) Lombrana (2-6) None 224 4-12 1-1 Mar. 13 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christ, TX L 0-5 Lara (6-1) Billmeier (0-3) None 204 4-13 1-2 Mar. 19 McNeese State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 6-1 Dunn (3-3) Vallejo (1-5) None 109 5-13 2-2 Mar. 20 McNeese State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 6-0 Vento (3-2) Tate (3-7) None 107 6-13 3-2 Mar. 20 McNeese State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 4-0 Dunn (4-3) Flores (4-5) None 115 7-13 4-2 Mar. 23 RV Baylor Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 3-7 Rodoni (5-4) Bachmeyer (0-5) None ESPN+ 115 7-14 Mar. 26 at Central Arkansas Farris Field • Conway, AR L 1-11 (5 inns) Beaver (9-3) Dunn (4-4) None 218 7-15 4-3 Mar. 26 at Central Arkansas Farris Field • Conway, AR L 0-1 Johnson (5-4) Vento (3-3) None 250 7-16 4-4 Mar. 27 at Central Arkansas Farris Field • Conway, AR L 1-5 Johnson (6-4) Vento (3-4) None 202 7-17 4-5 Mar. 31 UT Arlington Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 1-8 Henriksen (1-2) Billmeier (1-3) None ESPN+ 109 7-18
April (8–10) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC record Apr. 2 Houston Baptist Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 8-0 (6 inns) Patak (4-7) Dunn (4-5) None 109 7-19 4-6 Apr. 2 Houston Baptist Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 2-0 Swanson (3-0) Vento (3-5) None 109 7-20 4-7 Apr. 3 Houston Baptist Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 4-1 Bachmeyer (1-1) Janes (0-2) Vento (1) 111 8-20 5-7 Apr. 6 No. 14 Louisiana Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 3-8 Ellyson (10-4) Dunn (4-6) None 107 8-21 Apr. 9 at Abilene Christian Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 13-10 Vento (4-4) Bradley (3-13) None 117 9-21 6-7 Apr. 9 at Abilene Christian Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 9-3 Dunn (5-6) White (4-10) None 117 10-21 7-7 Apr. 10 at Abilene Christian Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 9-5 Vento (5-5) Harris (0-2) None 94 11-21 8-7 Apr. 14 at RV Texas A&M Davis Diamond • College Station, TX L 0-8 (6 inns) Herzog (10-2) Billmeier (0-5) None SECN+ 329 11-22 Apr. 17 Southeastern Louisiana Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 0-13 Zumo (14-2) Dunn (5-7) None ESPN+ 115 11-23 8-8 Apr. 17 Southeastern Louisiana Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 8-0 Vento (6-5) Hannabas (2-4) None ESPN+ 115 12-23 9-8 Apr. 18 Southeastern Louisiana Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 4-2 Vento (7-5) Zumo (14-3) None 115 13-23 10-8 Apr. 21 at Baylor Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX L 0-8 (5 inns) Mansell (7-3) Dunn (5-8) None ESPN+ 308 13-24 Apr. 24 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 3-4 (9 inns) Howell (6-7) Vento (7-5) None 150 13-25 10-9 Apr. 24 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 4-6 Delafield (8-2) Dunn (5-9) None 200 13-26 10-10 Apr. 25 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 6-1 Billmeier (1-5) Howell (6-8) Vento (2) 175 14-26 11-10 Apr. 28 Tarleton State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 3-1 Dunn (6-9) Bridges (10-18) None 72 15-26 Apr. 30 Stephen F. Austin Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 0-3 Wilbur (26-3) Vento (7-7) None 115 15-27 11-11 Apr. 30 Stephen F. Austin Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 0-1 (9 inns) Wilbur (27-3) Dunn (6-10) None ESPN+ 115 15-28 11-12
May (3-1) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC record May 1 Stephen F. Austin Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 8-11 (8 inns) Wilbur (28-3) Dunn (6-11) None ESPN+ 112 15-29 11-13 May 7 Incarnate Word Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 4-0 Dunn (7-11) Trapp (6-8) None 116 16-29 12-13 May 7 Incarnate Word Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 4-0 Bachmeyer (2-5) Gunther (7-10) None 116 17-29 13-13 May 8 Incarnate Word Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 9-1 (6 inns) Vento (8-7) Trapp (6-9) None 135 18-29 14-13
Post-Season (1-3)
Southland Tournament (1-3) Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament record May 12 vs. (6) Houston Baptist (7) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA W 4-3 Dunn (8-11) Swanson (9-3) None ESPN+ 172 19-29 1-0 May 13 vs. (3) McNeese State (7) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 1-3 Edwards (8-2) Vento (8-8) None ESPN+ 277 19-30 1-1 May 14 vs. (4) Northwestern State (7) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 0-8 (5 inns) Delafield (12-4) Dunn (8-12) None ESPN+ 319 19-31 1-2

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 adds seven new recruits". Sam Houston State University. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
5. "Softball releases 2021 schedule". Sam Houston State University. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
6. "SFA's Kassidy Wilbur Named Southland Player of the Year". www.southland.org. Retrieved January 6, 2022.