2021 Troy Trojans softball team

2021 Troy Trojans softball
Tuscaloosa Regionals appearance
Conference	Sun Belt Conference
Record	37–17 (17–6 SBC)
Head coach	Beth Mullins (7th season)
Assistant coaches	Taylor Smartt Holly Ward
Home stadium	Troy Softball Complex
Seasons ←  2020 2022  →

2021 Sun Belt Conference softball standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		PCT			W		L		PCT
No. 15 Louisiana  ‍†‍‡‍y	21	–	3		.875			47	–	12		.797
Texas State  ‍‍‍y	17	–	6		.739			39	–	14		.736
Troy  ‍‍‍y	17	–	6		.739			37	–	17		.685
South Alabama  ‍‍‍y	13	–	9		.591			31	–	21		.596
Appalachian State  ‍‍‍	8	–	12		.400			27	–	19		.587
Georgia Southern  ‍‍‍	9	–	14		.391			17	–	26		.395
UT Arlington  ‍‍‍	9	–	14		.391			17	–	34		.333
Coastal Carolina  ‍‍‍	9	–	15		.375			21	–	24		.467
Louisiana–Monroe  ‍‍‍	6	–	15		.286			17	–	32		.347
Georgia State  ‍‍‍	3	–	18		.143			16	–	30		.348
† – Conference champion ‡ – Tournament champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of May 23, 2021 [1] Rankings from NFCA

The 2021 Troy Trojans softball team represented Troy University during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. The Trojans played their home games at Troy Softball Complex. The Trojans were led by seventh-year head coach Beth Mullins and were members of the Sun Belt Conference.

Preseason

Sun Belt Conference Coaches Poll

The Sun Belt Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 8, 2021. Troy was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference with 87 votes. ^[2]

Coaches poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Louisiana	100 (10)
2	Troy	87
3	Texas State	72
4	Coastal Carolina	68
4	UT Arlington	68
6	Appalachian State	43
7	Georgia Southern	38
8	South Alabama	36
9	Louisiana-Monroe	22
10	Georgia State	16

Preseason All-Sun Belt team

• Summer Ellyson (LA, SR, Pitcher)
• Leanna Johnson (TROY, SO, Pitcher)
• Allisa Dalton (LA, SR, Shortstop/3rd Base)
• Katie Webb (TROY, SR, Infielder/1st Base)
• Raina O'Neal (LA, JR, Outfielder)
• Julie Raws (LA, SR, Catcher)
• Courney Dean (CCU, SR, Outfielder)
• Mekhia Freeman (GASO, SR, Outfielder)
• Korie Kreps (ULM, JR, Outfielder)
• Kaitlyn Alderink (LA, SR, 2nd Base)
• Jade Gortarez (LA, SR, Shortstop/3rd Base)
• Ciara Bryan (LA, SR, Outfielder)
• Kelly Horne (TROY, SO, Infielder/2nd Base)
• Makiya Thomas (CCU, SR, Outfielder/Infielder)
• Tara Oltmann (TXST, SR, Infielder/Shortstop)
• Jayden Mount (ULM, SR, Infielder)
• Katie Lively (TROY, SO, Outfielder)

National Softball Signing Day

^[3]

Player	Position	Hometown	Previous Team
Brookelyn Cannon	Pitcher	Hoover, Alabama	Hoover HS
Aayanah Hughes	Infielder	McDonough, Georgia	Union Grove HS
Crystal Maze	Infielder	Trussville, Alabama	Hewitt Trussville HS
Taylor McKinney	Outfielder	Montgomery, Alabama	Macon East Academy
Emma Grace Walker	Outfielder	Kennesaw, Georgia	Harrison HS

Roster

2021 Troy Trojans roster
	Pitchers 3 Libby Baker – freshman 10 Leanna Johnson – sophomore 21 Brianna Bailey – sophomore 23 Kynsley Rae Blasingame – senior 26 Haley Postell - Redshirt Freshman Outfielders 1 Tate Moseley - Redshirt Freshman 2 Anslee Finch – freshman 9 Jade Sinness – freshman 25 Katie Lively – sophomore		Catchers 12 Jill Robinson – freshman 17 Katelynn de Leon – freshman 14 Candela Figueroa – junior Infielders 5 Meagan Patterson – freshman 6 Kaylee Chapman – sophomore 8 Ashlan Ard – freshman 11 Audra Thompson – freshman 18 Adia Polk – sophomore 22 Logan Calhoun - Redshirt Junior\ 24 Katie Webb – senior 27 Mia Jenkins – freshman 31 Kelly Horne – sophomore 34 Kennedi Gaton – freshman

Coaching staff

2021 Troy Trojans coaching staff
Beth Mullins – Head coach – 7th year Taylor Smartt – Assistant Head coach – 6th year Holly Ward – Assistant Head coach – 2nd year Kristy Lawrence – Director of Operations – 10th year

Schedule and results

Legend
	Troy win
	Troy loss
	Postponement/Cancellation/Suspensions
Bold	Troy team member

2021 Troy Trojans softball game log
Regular season (34-13)
February (12-3) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SBC record Trojan Classic Feb. 12 Ole Miss Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 5-2 Johnson (1-0) Tillman (0-1) None 180 1-0 Feb. 12 UAB Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 8-0 Baker (1-0) Kachel (0-1) None 122 2-0 Feb. 13 Belmont Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 3-1 Johnson (2-0) Clesi (0-1) None 143 3-0 Feb. 14 Belmont Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 8-0 Bailey (1-0) Clesi (0-2) None 129 4-0 Feb. 17 RV Liberty Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 1-3 Keeney (3-0) Johnson (2-1) None 65 4-1 Troy Invitational Feb. 19 Western Carolina Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 9-1 Blasingame (0-1) Eilers (1-2) None 57 5-1 Feb. 19 Mercer Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 12-4 Bailey (2-0) Byrd (0-1) Johnson (1) 108 6-1 Feb. 20 Western Carolina Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 4-0 Baker (2-0) Eilers (1-2) None 132 7-1 Feb. 21 Mercer Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 9-1 Johnson (3-1) Donner (1-2) None 167 8-1 Feb. 24 Samford Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 3-2 Johnson (4-1) Barnett (1-1) None ESPN+ 87 9-1 Feb. 24 Samford Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 7-1 Johnson (5-1) Robertson (0-1) None ESPN+ 47 10-1 Crimson Tide Classic Feb. 26 vs. North Carolina Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL W 2-0 Johnson' (6-1) George (1-2) None 158 11-1 Feb. 26 vs. North Carolina Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL L 2-8 Pickett (4-0) Baker (2-1) None 123 11-2 Feb. 27 vs. Memphis Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL W 6-2 Johnson (7-1) Siems (0-2) None 211 12-2 Feb. 27 vs. Memphis Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL W 6-1 Baker (3-1) Ellett (0-4) None 103 13-2 Feb. 28 at No. 4 Alabama Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL L 0-2 Kilfoyl (6-0) Johnson (7-2) None 1,121 13-3
March (9-3) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SBC record Tiger Invitational Mar. 4 at No. 24 Auburn RV Jane B. Moore Field • Auburn, AL L 1-8 Lowe (3-0) Bailey (2-1) None 370 13-4 Mar. 5 vs. Southeastern Louisiana RV Jane B. Moore Field • Auburn, AL W 9-6 Johnson (8-2) Comeaux (1-3) None 370 14-4 Mar. 5 vs. Southeastern Louisiana RV Jane B. Moore Field • Auburn, AL W 9-6 Blasingame (2-0) Zumo (6-2) None 370 15-4 Mar. 6 vs. Southern Miss RV Jane B. Moore Field • Auburn, AL W 5-4 Blasingame (3-0) Pierce (2-3) None 370 16-4 Mar. 6 vs. Southern Miss RV Jane B. Moore Field • Auburn, AL L 3-4 Pierce (3-2) Baker (3-2) None 370 16-5 Mar. 10 No. 21 Auburn Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 0-3 Lowe (6-0) Johnson (8-3) None ESPN+ 250 116-6 Mar. 13 at UT Arlington Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX W 5-0 Johnson (9-3) Bumpurs (1-5) None 156 17-6 1-0 Mar. 13 at UT Arlington Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX W 4-1 Baker (4-1) Hines (1-6) None 156 18-6 2-0 Mar. 14 at UT Arlington Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX W 10-2 (6 inns) Johnson (10-3) Valencia (0-1) None 156 19-6 3-0 Mar. 19 at Georgia State Robert E. Heck Softball Complex • Decatur, GA W 12-0 (5 inns) Johnson (11-3) Mooney (4-4) None 253 20-6 4-0 Mar. 20 at Georgia State Robert E. Heck Softball Complex • Decatur, GA W 11-6 Blasingame (4-0) Banks (2-2) None 255 21-6 5-0 Mar. 21 at Georgia State Robert E. Heck Softball Complex • Decatur, GA W 7-1 Johnson (12-3) Buck (3-2) None 243 22-6 6-0 Lady Vol Challenge Mar. 27 vs. Furman Sherri Parker Lee Stadium • Knoxville, TN Cancelled due to inclement weather in Knoxville Mar. 27 at No. 21 Tennessee Sherri Parker Lee Stadium • Knoxville, TN Cancelled due to inclement weather in Knoxville Mar. 28 vs. Furman Sherri Parker Lee Stadium • Knoxville, TN Cancelled due to inclement weather in Knoxville Mar. 28 at No. 21 Tennessee Sherri Parker Lee Stadium • Knoxville, TN Cancelled due to inclement weather in Knoxville Mar. 31 at UAB Mary Bowers Field • Birmingham, AL Game Postponed
April (10–5) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SBC record Apr. 2 Georgia Southern Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 5-0 Johnson (13-3) Richardson (2-4) None ESPN+ 150 23-6 7-0 Apr. 2 Georgia Southern Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 4-0 Brianna (3-1) Waldrep (2-4) None ESPN+ 114 24-6 8-0 Apr. 3 Georgia Southern Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 9-0 Johnson (13-3) Feil (0-5) None ESPN+ 134 25-6 9-0 Apr. 6 Alabama State RV Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL Game Postponed Apr. 7 South Alabama RV Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 3-0 Johnson (15-3) Lackie (11-6) None ESPN+ 212 26-6 10-0 Apr. 9 No. 14 Louisiana RV Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 2-5 Ellyson (12-4) Johnson (15-4) None ESPN+ 192 26-7 10-1 Apr. 10 No. 14 Louisiana RV Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 7-8 Lamb (14-2) Bailey (3-2) Ellyson (2) ESPN+ 135 26-8 10-2 Apr. 11 No. 14 Louisiana RV Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 2-10 (6 inns) Ellyson (13-4) Baker (4-3) None ESPN+ 81 26-9 10-3 Apr. 14 at UAB RV Mary Bowers Field • Birmingham, AL Game postponed due to threat of inclement weather in Birmingham Apr. 17 at Louisiana–Monroe RV Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA W 13-2 (5 inns) Johnson (16-4) Coons (3-4) None 98 27-9 11-3 Apr. 17 at Louisiana–Monroe RV Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA W 10-6 Johnson (16-4) Hulett (4-5) None 98 28-9 12-3 Apr. 18 at Louisiana–Monroe RV Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA W 5-2 Baker (5-3) Chavarria (1-7) None 73 29-9 13-3 Apr. 21 Georgia Tech Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 2-4 Neleman (8-6) Johnson (17-5) None ESPN+ 113 29-10 Apr. 21 Georgia Tech Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 9-5 Blasingame (5-0) Bruce (1-6) Baker (1) ESPN+ 104 30-10 Apr. 25 at Appalachian State Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium • Boone, NC W 3-2 Johnson (18-5) Longanecker (12-5) None 50 31-10 14-3 Apr. 25 at Appalachian State Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium • Boone, NC W 8-6 Baker (6-3) Buckner (4-3) Johnson (2) 50 32-10 15-3 Apr. 30 RV Texas State Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 3-4 Mullins (17-6) Johnson (18-6) None ESPN+ 134 32-11 15-4
May (2-2) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SBC record May 1 RV Texas State Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 0-3 King (9-2) Baker (6-4) None ESPN+ 132 32-12 15-5 May 2 RV Texas State Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 6-4 Baker (7-4) King (9-3) None ESPN+ 121 33-12 16-5 May 7 at South Alabama Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL W 1-0 Johnson (19-6) Lackie (15-9) None 200 34-12 17-5 May 8 at South Alabama Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL L 6-7 Lackie (16-9) Johnson (19-7) None 200 34-13 17-6
Post-season (3-4)
SBC Tournament (2-2) Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SBC record May 12 vs. (6) UT Arlington (3) Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 1-2 Hines (6-11) Baker (7-5) Gardiner (5) ESPN+ 516 34-14 May 13 vs. (9) Louisiana–Monroe (3) Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 5-1 Johnson (20-7) Hulett (6-11) None ESPN+ 603 35-14 May 14 vs. (6) UT Arlington (3) Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 3-1 Blasingame (6-0) Valencia (4-8) None ESPN+ 621 36-14 May 14 vs. (4) South Alabama (3) Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL L 6-10 Hardy (4-2) Blasingame (6-1) None ESPN+ 432 36-15
NCAA Division I softball tournament (1-2) Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament record Tuscaloosa Regionals May 21 vs. (2)/No. 13 Clemson (3) Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL L 0-8 (5 inns) Cagle (27-5) Johnson (20-8) None ESPN3 36-16 0-1 May 22 vs. (4) Alabama State (3) Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL W 8-0 Johnson (21-8) Sullivan (18-11) None ESPN3 37-16 1-1 May 22 vs. (2)/No. 13 Clemson (3) Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL L 2-4 Cagle (28-6) Baker (7-6) None ESPN3 2,987 37-17 1-2

Schedule Source: ^[4]

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

Tuscaloosa Regional

Tuscaloosa Regional Teams
(1) Alabama Crimson Tide	(2) Clemson Tigers	(3) Troy Trojans	(4) Alabama State Lady Hornets

	First Round					Semi-Finals					Finals
	3	Alabama	9
		Alabama State	0
						3	Alabama	6
							Clemson	0
	Troy		0
	Clemson		8
											3	Alabama
												Clemson
	Lower round 1					Lower final
						Troy		2
	Alabama State		0			Clemson		4
	Troy		8

Postseason

Conference accolades

• Player of the Year: Ciara Bryan – LA
• Pitcher of the Year: Summer Ellyson – LA
• Freshman of the Year: Sara Vanderford – TXST
• Newcomer of the Year: Ciara Bryan – LA
• Coach of the Year: Gerry Glasco – LA

All Conference First Team Ciara Bryan (LA) Summer Ellyson (LA) Sara Vanderford (TXST) Leanna Johnson (TROY) Jessica Mullins (TXST) Olivia Lackie (USA) Kj Murphy (UTA) Katie Webb (TROY) Jayden Mount (ULM) Kandra Lamb (LA) Kendall Talley (LA) Meredith Keel (USA) Tara Oltmann (TXST) Jade Sinness (TROY) Katie Lively (TROY)

All Conference Second Team Kelly Horne (TROY) Meagan King (TXST) Mackenzie Brasher (USA) Bailee Wilson (GASO) Makiya Thomas (CCU) Kaitlyn Alderink (LA) Abby Krzywiecki (USA) Kenzie Longanecker (APP) Alissa Dalton (LA) Julie Rawls (LA) Korie Kreps (ULM) Kayla Rosado (CCU) Justice Milz (LA) Gabby Buruato (APP) Arieann Bell (TXST)

References: ^[5]

Rankings

Main article: 2021 NCAA Division I softball rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
NFCA / USA Today [6]	—	—	—	RV	—	—	—	—	RV	RV	—	—	—	—
Softball America [7]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
ESPN.com/USA Softball [8]	—	—	—	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
D1Softball [9]	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

References

1. "2021 Softball Standings". SunBeltSports.org. Sun Belt Conference. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
2. Conference, Sun Belt. "Sun Belt Conference Announces Preseason Softball Honors". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
3. "Troy Softball Welcomes Five Newcomers on Signing Day". Troy University Athletics. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
4. "Troy Softball Releases 2021 Schedule". Troy University Athletics. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
5. "Sun Belt Announces 2021 Softball Postseason All-Conference, Individual Awards". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
6. "2020 NCAA Division I Top 25". www.softballamerica.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
7. "2021 D-I Top 25". SoftballAmerica.com. Baseball America Enterprises. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
8. "NCAA College Rankings and Polls - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
9. "Top 25 Archives • D1Softball". D1Softball. Retrieved February 14, 2021.