# 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.

## 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 :
| 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
#### 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

| 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 |

## 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 | 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 | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | 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 | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | 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 | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | 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 | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | 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 | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Austin | 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 | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | 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 | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | 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 | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | 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 | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Huntsville | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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:
*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
References: