2021 Houston Baptist Huskies softball team


The 2021 Houston Baptist Huskies softball team represented Houston Baptist University during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. The Huskies played their home games at Husky Field and were led by thirtieth year head coach Mary-Ellen Hall. They were members of the Southland Conference.

2021 Houston Baptist Huskies softball
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record22–17 (15–12 Southland)
Head coach
  • Mary-Ellen Hall (30th season)
Assistant coaches
  • Roger Willhite
  • Natali Duron
Home stadiumHusky Field
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Southland Conference softball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Stephen F. Austin  ‍‍‍ 25 2   .926 35 12   .745
Central Arkansas  ‍‍‍ 21 6   .778 37 19   .661
McNeese State  ‍‍y 18 9   .667 35 26   .574
Northwestern State  ‍‍‍ 16 11   .593 24 22   .522
Southeastern Louisiana  ‍‍‍ 14 10   .583 28 23   .549
Houston Baptist  ‍‍‍ 15 12   .556 22 17   .564
Sam Houston State  ‍‍‍ 14 13   .519 19 31   .380
Abilene Christian  ‍‍‍ 10 17   .370 14 33   .298
Incarnate Word  ‍‍‍ 9 18   .333 16 27   .372
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi  ‍‍‍ 8 16   .333 18 30   .375
Nicholls  ‍‍‍ 5 22   .185 12 28   .300
Lamar  ‍‍‍ 4 23   .148 8 43   .157
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of May 22, 2021[1]
Rankings from NFCA

Preseason

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Southland Conference Coaches Poll

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The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 5, 2021. Houston Baptist was picked to finish tenth in the Southland Conference with 81 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

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[3]

First Team

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  • 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

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  • 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

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[4]

Player Position Hometown Previous Team
Abriana Garcia Utility Houston, Texas Cypress Lake HS
Breana Herrera Infielder Corpus Christi, Texas Mary Carroll HS
Haylie Savage Utility Angleton, Texas Angleton HS

Roster

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2021 Houston Baptist Huskies roster
 

Pitchers

  • 7 Madison Cotton - Redshirt Freshman
  • 9 Elliott Estes - Junior
  • 21 Sarah Venker - Sophomore
  • 22 Jessica Patak - Junior
  • 33 Lyndie Swanson - Redshirt Freshman

Outfielders

  • 5 Riley Bullen - Senior
  • 26 Riley Martin - Freshman
  • 32 Sierra Humphrey - Junior
 

Catchers

  • 1 Jasie Roberts - Redshirt Freshman
  • 15 Heidi Jaquez - Senior
  • 23 Caitlyn Brockway - Sophomore

Infielders

  • 2 Baylee Chandler - Freshman
  • 3 Kaicey Hagler - Freshman
  • 8 Shelby Echols - Redshirt Freshman
  • 11 Autumn Sydlik - Sophomore

Utility

  • 4 Avery Drake - Redshirt Freshman
  • 14 Kamryn Parker - Senior
  • 20 Katy Janes - Freshman
  • 27 Jackie Jessup - Freshman

Coaching staff

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2021 Houston Baptist Huskies coaching staff
  • Mary-Ellen Hall – Head Coach – 29th year
  • Roger Willhite – Assistant Head Coach – 21st year
  • Natali Duron – Assistant Head Coach – 2nd year
  • Shae Bibby – Volunteer Assistant Coach

Schedule and results

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Legend
  Houston Baptist win
  Houston Baptist loss
  Postponement/Cancellation
Bold Houston Baptist team member
2021 Houston Baptist Huskies softball game log
Regular season (22-16)
February (5-1)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
Black & Gold Invitational
Feb. 12 vs. North Dakota Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Hattiesburg
Feb. 13 at Southern Miss Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Hattiesburg
Feb. 13 vs. SIU Edwardsville Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Hattiesburg
Feb. 13 vs. SIU Edwardsville Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS Game Cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Hattiesburg
Feb. 20 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces ParkThibodaux, LA W 9-4 Patak (1-0) Moon (1-1) None 101 1-0
Feb. 20 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park• Thibodaux, LA W 5-3 Cotton (1-0) LaBure (2-1) None 96 2-0
Feb. 26 UHV Husky FieldHouston, TX W 5-0 Cotton (2-0) Kristoff (0-1) None 103 3-0
Feb. 26 UHV Husky Field • Houston, TX W 5-0 Patak (2-0) Cowan (0-1) None 98 4-0
Feb. 28 at Southern Miss Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS W 2-0 Venker (1-0) Leinstock (3-1) None 5-0
Feb. 28 at Southern Miss Southern Miss Softball Complex • Hattiesburg, MS L 2-3 Pierce (2-1) Patak (1-1) None 5-1
March (4-8)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
Mar. 6 Prairie View A&M Husky Field • Houston, TX W 12-1 (5 inns) Patak (3-1) Hall (0-1) None 120 6-1
Mar. 6 Prairie View A&M Husky Field • Houston, TX W 11-0 (5 inns) Venker (2-0) Fucci (0-1) None 110 7-1
Mar. 12 Abilene Christian Husky Field • Houston, TX L 2-4 Bradley (2-6) Patak (2-3) None 80 7-2 0-1
Mar. 12 Abilene Christian Husky Field • Houston, TX W 10-6 Swanson (1-0) Harris (0-1) None 60 8-2 1-1
Mar. 13 Abilene Christian Husky Field • Houston, TX L 0-4 Bradley (3-6) Patak (3-3) None 45 8-3 1-2
Mar. 16 at Texas A&M Davis DiamondCollege Station, TX L 0-6 Poynter (5-0) Patak (3-4) None 315 8-4
Mar. 19 Southeastern Louisiana Husky Field • Houston, TX L 1-2 Zumo (8-2) Patak (3-5) DuBois (2) 95 8-5 1-3
Mar. 19 Southeastern Louisiana Husky Field • Houston, TX W 6-5 Swanson (2-0) Hannabas (0-3) None 90 9-5 2-3
Mar. 20 Southeastern Louisiana Husky Field • Houston, TX L 4-9 Zumo (9-2) Janes (0-1) None 55 9-6 2-4
Mar. 26 at Northwestern State Lady Demon DiamondNatchitoches, LA L 1-2 Howell (5-3) Patak (3-6) None 300 9-7 2-5
Mar. 26 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 1-5 Delafield (5-1) Venker (2-1) None 300 9-8 2-6
Mar. 27 at Northwestern State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 2-7 Rhoden (4-2) Patak (3-7) None 200 9-9 2-7
April (10-5)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
Apr. 2 at Sam Houston State Bearkat Softball ComplexHuntsville, TX W 8-0 (6 inns) Patak (4-7) Dunn (4-5) None 109 10-9 3-7
Apr. 2 at Sam Houston State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 2-0 Swanson (3-0) Vento (3-5) None 109 11-9 4-7
Apr. 3 at Sam Houston State Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX L 1-4 Bachmeyer (1-1) Janes (0-2) Vento (1) 111 11-10 4-8
Apr. 9 Incarnate Word Husky Field • Houston, TX W 6-4 Patak (5-7) Trapp (3-5) None 40 12-10 5-8
Apr. 9 Incarnate Word Husky Field • Houston, TX W 5-1 Swanson (4-0) Gunther (4-7) None 30 13-10 6-8
Apr. 10 Incarnate Word Husky Field • Houston, TX W 7-2 Swanson (5-0) Floyd (2-4) None 45 14-10 7-8
Apr. 13 at Prairie View A&M Lady Panther Softball Field • Prairie View, TX L 4-7 Fucci (1-0) Estes (0-1) Hall (2) 28 14-11
Apr. 17 Central Arkansas Husky Field • Houston, TX L 2-5 Johnson (9-4) Patak (5-8) None 50 14-12 7-9
Apr. 17 Central Arkansas Husky Field • Houston, TX W 1-0 Swanson (6-0) Beaver (13-6) None 50 15-12 8-9
Apr. 18 Central Arkansas Husky Field • Houston, TX W 2-1 Patak (5-8) Johnson (9-4) None 16-12 9-9
Apr. 24 Lamar Husky Field • Houston, TX W 9-2 Patak (6-8) Mixon (1-10) None 57 17-12 10-9
Apr. 24 Lamar Husky Field • Houston, TX W 2-1 Swanson (8-0) Ruiz (0-3) None 150 18-12 11-9
Apr. 25 Lamar Husky Field • Houston, TX W 7-0 Venker (3-1) Mixon (2-14) None 115 19-12 12-9
Apr. 28 at RV Texas State Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX L 2-4 Mullins (16-6) Patak (6-9) None 234 19-13
Apr. 30 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman FieldCorpus Christi, TX L 3-4 Lara (13-9) Swanson (8-1) None 109 19-14 12-10
May (3-2)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
May 2 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX W 2-1 Swanson (9-1) Lara (13-10) None 155 20-14 13-10
May 2 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX W 2-0 Patak (7-9) McNeill (1-7) None 155 21-14 14-10
May 7 at Stephen F. Austin SFA Softball FieldNacogdoches, TX W 3-1 Patak (8-9) Wilbur (28-4) None 143 22-14 15-10
May 7 at Stephen F. Austin SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX L 4-5 Chism (3-1) Swanson (9-2) Wilbur (3) 116 22-15 15-11
May 8 at Stephen F. Austin SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX L 0-1 Wilbur (29-4) Patak (8-10) None 135 22-16 15-12
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 (7) Sam Houston State (6) North Oak ParkHammond, LA L 3-4 Dunn (8-11) Swanson (9-3) None ESPN+ 172 22-17 0-1
Schedule Source:[5]*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.

Postseason

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Conference accolades

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  • 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:[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Southland Softball Standings". www.southland.org. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "Ladyjacks Tabbed 2021 Softball Preseason Favorites". www.southland.org. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "2021 Southland Preseason All-Conference Softball Teams Announced". www.southland.org. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  4. ^ "SB: HBU Signs Three Early". Houston Baptist University Athletics. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  5. ^ "2021 Softball Schedule". Houston Baptist University Athletics. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "SFA's Kassidy Wilbur Named Southland Player of the Year". www.southland.org. Retrieved January 6, 2022.