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.[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
[3]
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
[4]
Roster
2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats roster
|
|
Pitchers
- 15 Riley White - Freshman
- 28 Alivia Sinnott - Junior
- 33 Samantha Bradley - Redshirt Senior
Outfielders
- 1 Blakeli Brookreson - Senior
- 4 Linsey Tomlinson - Redshirt Senior
- 10 Caroline Adair - Redshirt Senior
- 22 Maya Saneishi - Sophomore
Utility
- 9 Donelle Johnson - Redshirt Senior
- 77 Val Rudd - Sophomore
|
|
Catchers
- 20 Kayla Keeling - Senior
- 11 Sydney Kaiser - Freshman
- 13 Avery Miloch - Freshman
- 24 Braeland Booth - Junior
Infielders
- 5 Shaylee Alani - Sophomore
- 6 Moriah Ortiz - Redshirt Sophomore
- 7 Briana Tijerina - Senior
- 8 Katelyn Belch - Senior
- 19 Calie Burris - Senior
- 25 Miranda Davila - Freshman
- 29 Paige Harris - Freshman
|
Coaching staff
2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats coaching staff
|
- Abigail Farler – Head Coach – 2nd year
- Jessica Twaddle – Assistant Head Coach – 3rd year
- Caty Reeves – Assistant Head Coach – 2nd year
- Sam Woodley – Graduate Assistant Coach – 1st year
|
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
|
Rank
|
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
|
Feb. 21 |
at UT Arlington |
|
Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX |
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
|
Feb. 22 |
vs. No. 20 Arkansas |
|
Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX |
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
|
Rank
|
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
|
Rank
|
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
|
Apr. 6 |
at Baylor |
|
Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX |
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
|
Rank
|
Site/stadium
|
Score
|
Win
|
Loss
|
Save
|
TV
|
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:[5]
*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)
- Kaylee Lopez (MCNS)
- Donelle Johnson (ACU)
- Jil Poullard (MCNS)
- Audrey Greely (SELA)
- Jordan Johnson (UCA)
- Whitney Tate (MCNS)
|
All Conference Third Team
- Caitlyn Brockway (HBU)
- Cayla Jones (NSU)
- Alex Hedspeth (SFA)
- Ashlyn Reavis (NICH)
- Chloe Gomez (MCNS)
- Jasie Roberts (HBU)
- Anna Rodenberg (SELA)
- Kaitlyn St. Clair (NSU)
- Sheridan Fisher (SHSU)
- Pal Egan (TAMUCC)
- Lyndie Swanson (HBU)
- Heather Zumo (SELA)
|
References:[6]
References
|
---|
Venues | |
---|
Coaches |
- Carol Tabor (1997–2003)
- Chantiel Wilson (2004–2010)
- Bobby Reeves (2011–2019)
- Abigail Farler (2020–2024)
- Jo Koons (2025– )
|
---|
Seasons |
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
|
---|