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.
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
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 staffGarrett 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/CancellationBoldSam 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 ClassicFeb. 12 vs. Colorado State Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in AustinFeb. 12 vs. No. 3 Arizona Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in AustinFeb. 13 vs. Colorado State Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in AustinFeb. 13 vs. No. 3 Arizona Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in AustinFeb. 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 ClassicFeb. 20 No. 3 Oklahoma Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in HuntsvilleFeb. 20 Louisiana–Monroe Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in HuntsvilleFeb. 21 UTSA Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in HuntsvilleFeb. 21 Louisiana–Monroe Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in HuntsvilleFeb. 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 InvitationalFeb. 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 recordMar. 3 Texas A&M Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 5-11 Poynter (2-0) Dunn (1-1) None 106 2-5 Courtyard Marriott TournamentMar. 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 0-1Mar. 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 1-1Mar. 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 1-2Mar. 19 McNeese State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 6-1 Dunn (3-3) Vallejo (1-5) None 109 5-13 2-2Mar. 20 McNeese State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 6-0 Vento (3-2) Tate (3-7) None 107 6-13 3-2Mar. 20 McNeese State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 4-0 Dunn (4-3) Flores (4-5) None 115 7-13 4-2Mar. 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 4-3Mar. 26 at Central Arkansas Farris Field • Conway, AR L 0-1 Johnson (5-4) Vento (3-3) None 250 7-16 4-4Mar. 27 at Central Arkansas Farris Field • Conway, AR L 1-5 Johnson (6-4) Vento (3-4) None 202 7-17 4-5Mar. 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 recordApr. 2 Houston Baptist Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 8-0 (6 inns) Patak (4-7) Dunn (4-5) None 109 7-19 4-6Apr. 2 Houston Baptist Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 2-0 Swanson (3-0) Vento (3-5) None 109 7-20 4-7Apr. 3 Houston Baptist Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 4-1 Bachmeyer (1-1) Janes (0-2) Vento (1) 111 8-20 5-7Apr. 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 6-7Apr. 9 at Abilene Christian Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 9-3 Dunn (5-6) White (4-10) None 117 10-21 7-7Apr. 10 at Abilene Christian Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX W 9-5 Vento (5-5) Harris (0-2) None 94 11-21 8-7Apr. 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 8-8Apr. 17 Southeastern Louisiana Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 8-0 Vento (6-5) Hannabas (2-4) None ESPN+ 115 12-23 9-8Apr. 18 Southeastern Louisiana Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 4-2 Vento (7-5) Zumo (14-3) None 115 13-23 10-8Apr. 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 10-9Apr. 24 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 4-6 Delafield (8-2) Dunn (5-9) None 200 13-26 10-10Apr. 25 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 6-1 Billmeier (1-5) Howell (6-8) Vento (2) 175 14-26 11-10Apr. 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 11-11Apr. 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 recordMay 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 12-13May 7 Incarnate Word Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 4-0 Bachmeyer (2-5) Gunther (7-10) None 116 17-29 13-13May 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) (1-3) Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament recordMay 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 1-0May 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 1-1May 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: *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)