# 2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats softball team

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 :
| 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 |
| 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 |

## Schedule and results

Legend :
| | Abilene Christian win |
| | Abilene Christian loss |
| | Postponement/Cancellation |
| Bold | Abilene Christian team member |
2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats softball game log :
Regular season (14-32) :
February (3-9) :
| Date | Opponent | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| Miner Invitational ||||||||||||
| Feb. 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 Classic ||||||||||||
| Feb. 21 | vs. Texas State | Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington |
| Feb. 21 | at UT Arlington | Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington |
| Feb. 22 | vs. Texas State | Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington |
| Feb. 22 | vs. No. 20 Arkansas | Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington | Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Arlington |
| Feb. 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 | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| Mar. 3 | Tarleton State | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | W 6-4 | White (3-4) | Erwin (0-3) | None | | 246 | 4-9 | |
| Texas Tech Invitational ||||||||||||
| Mar. 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 | 1-0 |
| Mar. 12 | at Houston Baptist | Husky Field • Houston, TX | L 6-10 | Swanson (1-0) | Harris (0-1) | None | | 60 | 5-14 | 1-1 |
| Mar. 13 | at Houston Baptist | Husky Field • Houston, TX | W 4-0 | Bradley (3-6) | Patak (3-3) | None | | 45 | 6-14 | 2-1 |
| Mar. 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 | 2-2 |
| Mar. 19 | Central Arkansas | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | L 0-8 (6 inns) | Johnson (4-4) | White (3-7) | None | | 250 | 6-17 | 2-3 |
| Mar. 20 | Central Arkansas | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | L 2-15 (5 inns) | Beaver (8-3) | Bradley (3-9) | None | | 250 | 6-18 | 2-4 |
| Mar. 26 | at Southeastern Louisiana | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | L 2-6 | Hannabas (1-3) | Bradley (3-10) | None | ESPN+ | 245 | 6-19 | 2-5 |
| Mar. 26 | at Southeastern Louisiana | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | W 5-4 | White (4-7) | DuBois (0-2) | None | ESPN+ | 245 | 7-19 | 3-5 |
| Mar. 27 | at Southeastern Louisiana | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | L 0-5 | Zumo (10-2) | Bradley (3-11) | None | ESPN+ | 233 | 7-20 | 3-6 |
| Mar. 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 | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| Apr. 2 | Stephen F. Austin | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | L 1-9 (6 inns) | Wilbur (15-3) | Bradley (3-12) | None | | 142 | 7-22 | 3-7 |
| Apr. 2 | Stephen F. Austin | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | L 5-10 | Wilbur (16-3) | White (4-9) | None | | 142 | 7-23 | 3-8 |
| Apr. 3 | Stephen F. Austin | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | L 0-8 (5 inns) | Wilbur (17-3) | Sinnott (0-2) | None | | 163 | 7-24 | 3-9 |
| Apr. 6 | at Baylor | Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed |
| Apr. 6 | at Baylor | Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed | Game Postponed |
| Apr. 9 | Sam Houston State | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | L 10-13 | Vento (4-4) | Bradley (3-13) | None | | 117 | 7-25 | 3-10 |
| Apr. 9 | Sam Houston State | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | L 3-9 | Bachmeyer (2-5) | White (4-10) | None | | 117 | 7-26 | 3-11 |
| Apr. 10 | Sam Houston State | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | L 5-9 | Vento (5-5) | Harris (0-2) | None | | 94 | 7-27 | 3-12 |
| Apr. 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 | 3-13 |
| Apr. 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 | 3-14 |
| Apr. 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 | 3-15 |
| Apr. 23 | at Nicholls | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | W 3-2 | Bradley (4-13) | LaBure (3-4) | None | | 105 | 8-30 | 4-15 |
| Apr. 23 | at Nicholls | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | L 1-3 | Westbrook (3-7) | White (4-13) | None | | 137 | 8-31 | 4-16 |
| Apr. 24 | at Nicholls | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | W 9-1 | Bradley (5-13) | Westbrook (3-8) | None | | 201 | 9-31 | 5-16 |
| Apr. 30 | Incarnate Word | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | W 3-0 | Bradley (6-13) | Gunther (7-9) | None | | 136 | 10-31 | 6-16 |
| Apr. 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 | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| May 1 | Incarnate Word | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | W 9-0 (5 inns) | Bradley (7-13) | Trapp (6-7) | None | 174 | 11-32 | 7-16 |
| May 7 | Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | W 7-5 | Bradley (8-13) | Lara (13-11) | None | 248 | 12-32 | 8-16 |
| May 7 | Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | W 5-3 | Bradley (9-13) | McNeill (1-8) | None | 248 | 13-32 | 9-16 |
| May 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) :
Southland Tournament (0-1) :
| Date | Opponent | (Seed)/Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | Tournament record |
| May 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
References: