2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats softball team


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.

2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats softball
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record19–31 (14–13 Southland)
Head coach
  • Garrett Valis (3rd season)
Assistant coaches
  • Tori Rivera
  • Tess Soefje
Home stadiumBearkat Softball Complex
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Southland Conference softball standings
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

Preseason

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Southland Conference Coaches Poll

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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

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[3]

First team

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  • 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

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  • 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

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[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

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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

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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

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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 FieldAustin, 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 ComplexHuntsville, 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 ComplexNorman, 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 FieldCorpus 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 FieldConway, 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 FieldAbilene, 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 DiamondCollege 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 DiamondNatchitoches, 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

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Conference Accolades

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  • 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

References:[6]

References

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  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.