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.
Coaches poll 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
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
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 staffAbigail 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/CancellationBoldAbilene 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 InvitationalFeb. 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 ClassicFeb. 21 vs. Texas State Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in ArlingtonFeb. 21 at UT Arlington Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in ArlingtonFeb. 22 vs. Texas State Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in ArlingtonFeb. 22 vs. No. 20 Arkansas Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in ArlingtonFeb. 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 RecordMar. 3 Tarleton State Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 6-4 White (3-4) Erwin (0-3) None 246 4-9 Texas Tech InvitationalMar. 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 1-0Mar. 12 at Houston Baptist Husky Field • Houston, TX L 6-10 Swanson (1-0) Harris (0-1) None 60 5-14 1-1Mar. 13 at Houston Baptist Husky Field • Houston, TX W 4-0 Bradley (3-6) Patak (3-3) None 45 6-14 2-1Mar. 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 2-2Mar. 19 Central Arkansas Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 0-8 (6 inns) Johnson (4-4) White (3-7) None 250 6-17 2-3Mar. 20 Central Arkansas Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 2-15 (5 inns) Beaver (8-3) Bradley (3-9) None 250 6-18 2-4Mar. 26 at Southeastern Louisiana North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 2-6 Hannabas (1-3) Bradley (3-10) None ESPN+ 245 6-19 2-5Mar. 26 at Southeastern Louisiana North Oak Park • Hammond, LA W 5-4 White (4-7) DuBois (0-2) None ESPN+ 245 7-19 3-5Mar. 27 at Southeastern Louisiana North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 0-5 Zumo (10-2) Bradley (3-11) None ESPN+ 233 7-20 3-6Mar. 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 RecordApr. 2 Stephen F. Austin Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 1-9 (6 inns) Wilbur (15-3) Bradley (3-12) None 142 7-22 3-7Apr. 2 Stephen F. Austin Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 5-10 Wilbur (16-3) White (4-9) None 142 7-23 3-8Apr. 3 Stephen F. Austin Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 0-8 (5 inns) Wilbur (17-3) Sinnott (0-2) None 163 7-24 3-9Apr. 6 at Baylor Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX Game PostponedApr. 6 at Baylor Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX Game PostponedApr. 9 Sam Houston State Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 10-13 Vento (4-4) Bradley (3-13) None 117 7-25 3-10Apr. 9 Sam Houston State Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 3-9 Bachmeyer (2-5) White (4-10) None 117 7-26 3-11Apr. 10 Sam Houston State Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX L 5-9 Vento (5-5) Harris (0-2) None 94 7-27 3-12Apr. 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 3-13Apr. 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 3-14Apr. 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 3-15Apr. 23 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA W 3-2 Bradley (4-13) LaBure (3-4) None 105 8-30 4-15Apr. 23 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA L 1-3 Westbrook (3-7) White (4-13) None 137 8-31 4-16Apr. 24 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA W 9-1 Bradley (5-13) Westbrook (3-8) None 201 9-31 5-16Apr. 30 Incarnate Word Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 3-0 Bradley (6-13) Gunther (7-9) None 136 10-31 6-16Apr. 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 RecordMay 1 Incarnate Word Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 9-0 (5 inns) Bradley (7-13) Trapp (6-7) None 174 11-32 7-16May 7 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 7-5 Bradley (8-13) Lara (13-11) None 248 12-32 8-16May 7 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 5-3 Bradley (9-13) McNeill (1-8) None 248 13-32 9-16May 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) (0-1) Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament recordMay 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: *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:
References