# 2021 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team

The 2021 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team represented Northwestern State University during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. The Lady Demons played their home games at Lady Demon Diamond and were led by thirteenth year head coach Donald Pickett. They were members of the Southland Conference.

## Preseason
### Southland Conference Coaches Poll

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 5, 2021. Northwestern State was picked to finish sixth in the Southland Conference with 156 votes and 1 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 |
| Sage Hoover | Pitcher | Edgewood, Texas | Rains HS |
| Adriana Vences | Pitcher | Marshall, Texas | Marshall HS |
| Haley Parker | Pitcher | Fort Worth, Texas | Bosewell HS |
| Derika Castillo | Utility | Houston, Texas | Summer Creek HS |
| Bailie Ragsdale | Utility | Lone Oak, Texas | Lone Oak HS |
| Vivica Hernandez | Outfielder | Fort Worth, Texas | V. R. Eaton HS |
| Carson Zachry | Infielder | Mount Pleasant, Texas | Mount Pleasant HS |

## Schedule and results

Legend :
| | Northwestern State win |
| | Northwestern State loss |
| | Postponement/Cancellation |
| Bold | Northwestern State team member |
2021 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball game log :
Regular season (22-20) :
February (5-2) :
| Date | Opponent | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission Lady Demon Classic ||||||||||||
| Feb. 12 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Parc Natchitoches • Natchitoches, LA | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches |
| Feb. 12 | UT Martin | Parc Natchitoches • Natchitoches, LA | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches |
| Feb. 13 | Evansville | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches |
| Feb. 13 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches |
| Feb. 14 | Evansville | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches |
| Feb. 14 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches |
| Getterman Classic ||||||||||||
| Feb. 19 | vs. Prairie View A&M | Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco |
| Feb. 19 | at No. 23 Baylor | Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco |
| Feb. 20 | vs. No. 21 Missouri | Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco | Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco |
| Feb. 21 | at Louisiana–Monroe | Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe. | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe. | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe. | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe. | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe. | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe. | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe. | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe. |
| Feb. 24 | at Louisiana–Monroe | Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe | Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe |
| Feb. 23 | Grambling State | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 10-0 (5 inns) | Rhoden (1-0) | Bonner (0-1) | None | | 101 | 1-0 | |
| Feb. 23 | Grambling State | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 9-1 (5 inns) | Howell (1-0) | Shells (0-1) | None | | 135 | 2-0 | |
| South Alabama Invitational ||||||||||||
| Feb. 26 | vs. SIU Edwardsville | Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL | W 3-0 (8 inns) | Howell (2-0) | Ingles (0-1) | None | | 200 | 3-0 | |
| Feb. 27 | vs. Middle Tennessee | Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL | W 2-0 | Delafield (1-0) | Mead (0-1) | Rhoden (1) | | 200 | 4-0 | |
| Feb. 27 | vs. No. 20 Missouri | Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL | L 0-8 (5 inns) | Weber (4-0) | Howell (2-1) | None | | 200 | 4-1 | |
| Feb. 28 | vs. SIU Edwardsville | Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL | W 6-5 (8 inns) | Guile (1-0) | Ingles (0-3) | None | | 200 | 5-1 | |
| Feb. 28 | at South Alabama | Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL | L 1-6 | Lackie (5-2) | Seely (0-1) | None | ESPN+ | 200 | 5-2 | |
March (10-6) :
| Date | Opponent | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| Mar. 3 | Louisiana–Monroe | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 3-1 | Howell (2-1) | Hulett (1-2) | None | | 282 | 6-2 | |
| Wooo Pig Classic ||||||||||||
| Mar. 5 | vs. Drake | Bogle Park • Fayetteville, AR | L 2-12 (5 inns) | Hupke (1-0) | Howell (3-2) | None | | 448 | 6-3 | |
| Mar. 5 | at No. 20 Arkansas | Bogle Park • Fayetteville, AR | L 5-13 (6 inns) | Howell (2-0) | Rhoden (1-1) | None | SECN+ | 578 | 6-4 | |
| Mar. 6 | vs. Kansas | Bogle Park • Fayetteville, AR | L 0-5 | Reed (4-2) | Dealfield (1-1) | None | | 480 | 6-5 | |
| Mar. 6 | at No. 20 Arkansas | Bogle Park • Fayetteville, AR | L 2-13 (5 inns) | Haff (9-1) | Howell (3-3) | None | | 590 | 6-6 | |
| Mar. 7 | vs. Kansas | Bogle Park • Fayetteville, AR | L 2-6 | Mills (1-0) | Rhoden (1-2) | None | | 269 | 6-7 | |
| Mar. 12 | at Nicholls | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | W 8-3 | Rhoden (2-2) | Danehower (3-2) | None | | 123 | 7-7 | 1-0 |
| Mar. 12 | at Nicholls | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | W 10-1 (5 inns) | Howell (4-3) | Moon (1-3) | None | | 123 | 8-7 | 2-0 |
| Mar. 13 | at Nicholls | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | W 4-0 | Delafield (2-1) | LaBure (2-3) | None | | 101 | 9-7 | 3-0 |
| Mar. 19 | at Incarnate Word | H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX | W 5-2 | Rhoden (3-2) | Gunther (1-4) | None | | 75 | 10-7 | 4-0 |
| Mar. 19 | at Incarnate Word | H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX | W 17-0 (5 inns) | Delafield (3-1) | Trapp (0-3) | None | | 75 | 11-7 | 5-0 |
| Mar. 20 | at Incarnate Word | H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX | W 5-0 | Delafield (4-1) | Gunther (1-5) | None | | 75 | 12-7 | 6-0 |
| Mar. 26 | Houston Baptist | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 2-1 | Howell (5-3) | Patak (3-6) | None | | 300 | 13-7 | 7-0 |
| Mar. 26 | Houston Baptist | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 5-1 | Delafield (5-1) | Venker (2-1) | None | | 300 | 14-7 | 8-0 |
| Mar. 27 | Houston Baptist | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 7-2 | Rhoden (4-2) | Patak (3-7) | None | | 200 | 15-7 | 9-0 |
| Mar. 30 | at Louisiana Tech | Lady Techster Softball Complex • Ruston, LA | L 0-3 | Pickett (3-5) | Seely (0-2) | Hernandez (1) | | 250 | 15-8 | |
April (5–10) :
| Date | Opponent | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| Apr. 2 | Central Arkansas | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | L 1-3 | Johnson (7-4) | Howell (5-4) | None | | 250 | 15-9 | 9-1 |
| Apr. 2 | Central Arkansas | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | L 0-4 | Beaver (10-3) | Delafield (5-2) | None | | 250 | 15-10 | 9-2 |
| Apr. 3 | Central Arkansas | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | L 3-4 | Beaver (11-3) | Rhoden (4-3) | Johnson (1) | | 203 | 15-11 | 9-3 |
| Apr. 9 | at Lamar | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | L 1-3 | Mixon (2-10) | Howell (5-5) | None | | 119 | 15-12 | 9-4 |
| Apr. 9 | at Lamar | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | W 15-2 | Delafield (6-2) | Reyna (1-11) | None | | 119 | 16-12 | 10-4 |
| Apr. 10 | at Lamar | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | W 5-4 | Delafield (7-2) | Mixon (2-11) | Rhoden (2) | | 119 | 17-12 | 11-4 |
| Apr. 13 | at Grambling State | GSU Softball Complex • Grambling, LA | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed |
| Apr. 17 | at Stephen F. Austin | SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX | L 0-2 | Wilbur (21-3) | Howell (5-6) | None | | 500 | 17-13 | 11-5 |
| Apr. 17 | at Stephen F. Austin | SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX | L 5-9 | Wilbur (22-3) | Rhoden (4-4) | None | | 150 | 17-14 | 11-6 |
| Apr. 18 | at Stephen F. Austin | SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX | L 0-6 | Wilbur (23-3) | Howell (5-7) | None | | 217 | 17-15 | 11-7 |
| Apr. 21 | at Southern | Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed |
| Apr. 21 | at Southern | Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed | Game postponed |
| Apr. 24 | Sam Houston State | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 4-3 (9 inns) | Howell (6-7) | Vento (7-5) | None | | 150 | 18-15 | 12-7 |
| Apr. 24 | Sam Houston State | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 6-4 | Delafield (8-2) | Dunn (5-9) | None | | 200 | 19-15 | 13-7 |
| Apr. 25 | Sam Houston State | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | L 1-6 | Billmeier (1-5) | Howell (6-8) | None | | 175 | 19-16 | 13-8 |
| Apr. 27 | Louisiana Tech | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | L 2-3 (15 inns) | Koenig (1-3) | Delafield (9-3) | None | | 204 | 19-17 | |
| Apr. 30 | at McNeese State | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | L 0-3 | Tate (9-7) | Howell (6-9) | None | | 401 | 19-18 | 13-9 |
| Apr. 30 | at McNeese State | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | W 3-2 | Delafield (9-3) | Flores (5-8) | None | | 401 | 20-18 | 14-9 |
May (2-2) :
| Date | Opponent | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| May 1 | at McNeese State | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | L 3-5 (8 inns) | Tate (10-7) | Delafield (0-4) | None | 478 | 20-19 | 14-10 |
| May 7 | Southeastern Louisiana | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 9-4 | Delafield (10-4) | Zumo (15-6) | None | 200 | 21-19 | 15-10 |
| May 7 | Southeastern Louisiana | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 13-5 (5 inns) | Seely (1-2) | Hannabas (2-6) | None | 200 | 22-19 | 16-10 |
| May 8 | Southeastern Louisiana | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | L 2-7 | Comeaux (8-6) | Rhoden (4-5) | None | 150 | 22-20 | 16-11 |
Post-Season (2-2) :
Southland Tournament (2-2) :
| Date | Opponent | (Seed)/Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | Tournament record |
| May 13 | vs. (5) Southeastern Louisiana | (4) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | W 7-4 | Delafield (11-4) | Kraft (0-1) | None | ESPN+ | 343 | 23-20 | 1-0 |
| May 13 | vs. (1) Stephen F. Austin | (4) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | L 1-4 | Wilbur (30-4) | Howell (6-10) | None | ESPN+ | 335 | 24-20 | 1-1 |
| May 14 | vs. (7) Sam Houston State | (4) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | W 8-0 (5 inns) | Delafield (12-4) | Dunn (8-12) | None | ESPN+ | 319 | 24-21 | 2-1 |
| May 14 | vs. (2) Central Arkansas | (4) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | L 2-5 | Beaver (20-6) | Delafield (12-5) | None | ESPN+ | 339 | 24-22 | 2-2 |
    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: