2021 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears softball team

American college softball season

2021 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears softball

Conference| Southland Conference
Record| 37–19 (21–6 Southland)
Head coach|

* David Kuhn (13th season)

Assistant coaches|

* Jenny Parsons
* Chris Watford

Home stadium| Farris Field

Seasons

<- 2020

2022 ->

2021 Southland Conference softball standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf |  |  | Overall

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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

The 2021 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears softball team represented University of Central Arkansas during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. The Sugar Bears played their home games at Farris Field and were led by thirteenth year head coach David Kuhn. They were members of the Southland Conference.

## Preseason

[edit]

### Southland Conference Coaches Poll

[edit]

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 5, 2021. Central Arkansas was picked to finish fifth in the Southland Conference with 162 votes and one first place vote.[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

[edit]

[3]

#### First Team

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

[4]

Player  | Position  | Hometown  | Previous Team

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Bella Barnes  | Infielder  | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Central HS
Jorde Chartland  | Pitcher/Utility  | Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada | Weyburn Comprehensive
Reese Curry  | Infielder/Utility  | Oskaloosa, Kansas | Oskaloosa HS
Regan Curry  | Infielder/Utility  | Oskaloosa, Kansas | Oskaloosa HS
Kylie Griffin  | Infielder  | Greenbrier, Arkansas | Greenbrier HS
Emily Perry  | Infielder  | Bentonville, Arkansas | Bentonville HS
Graci Thomas  | Infielder  | Morrilton, Arkansas | Morrilton HS

## Roster

[edit]

2021 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears roster

Pitchers

* 19 Kayla Beaver - Redshirt Freshman
* 20 Katelyn McMahan - Freshman
* 30 Rio Sanchez - Senior

Outfielders

* 1 Tremere Harris - Freshman
* 3 Jenna Wildeman - Redshirt Freshman
* 4 Gabbi Scott - Freshman
* 5 Megan Corwnover - Redshirt Freshman
* 7 Reagan Sperling - Redshirt Junior
* 23 Callie Eary - Redshirt Sophomore

Utilities

* 15 Kristen Whitehouse - Freshman
* 26 Lindsey Williams - Redshirt Junior

|  |

Catchers

* 6 Tylar Vernon - Redshirt Sophomore
* 27 Emily Sampson - Redshirt Freshman

Infielders

* 2 Mary Kate Brown - Redshirt Freshman
* 9 Morgan Nelson - Redshirt Freshman
* 11 Erin Acors - Senior
* 13 Kaylyn Shepherd - Redshirt Senior
* 14 Jordan Johnson - Redshirt Sophomore
* 17 Erin Blackburn - Redshirt Sophomore
* 18 Lexi McClellan - Redshirt Junior
* 22 Jaylee Engelkes - Redshirt Sophomore
* 24 Cylla Hill - Redshirt Senior

### Coaching staff

[edit]

2021 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears coaching staff

* David Kuhn – Head coach – 13th year
* Jenny Parsons - Associate head coach – 9th year
* Chris Watford – Assistant head coach – 1st year
* Kayla Lucas – Volunteer assistant coach

## Schedule and results

[edit]

Legend

| Central Arkansas win
| Central Arkansas loss
| Postponement/Cancellation
Bold | Central Arkansas team member
2021 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears softball game log

Regular season (34-17)
| February (6-7)

Date  | Opponent  | Rank  | Site/stadium  | Score  | Win  | Loss  | Save  | TV  | Attendance  | Overall record  | SLC Record
Tiger Classic
Feb. 12 | vs. No. 25 Duke |  | Tiger Field • Baton Rouge, LA | L 2-6 | Butler (1-0) | Johnson (0-1) | Walters (1) |  | 76 | 0-1 |
Feb. 13 | vs. No. 25 Duke |  | Tiger Field • Baton Rouge, LA | L 5-7 | Davidson (1-0) | Sanchez (0-1) | Butler (1) |  | 72 | 0-2 |
Feb. 13 | vs. Kansas |  | Tiger Field • Baton Rouge, LA | L 2-4 | Goff (1-0) | Beaver (0-1) | None |  | 86 | 0-3 |
Texas A&M Invitational
Feb. 20 | vs. Texas Tech |  | Davis Diamond • College Station, TX | W 6-1 | Beaver (1-1) | Zoch (1-1) | None |  | 306 | 1-3 |
Feb. 20 | at Texas A&M |  | Davis Diamond • College Station, TX | L 0-9 (5 inns) | Herzog (1-0) | Johnson (0-2) | None | SECN+ | 306 | 1-4 |
Feb. 21 | vs. Colorado |  | Davis Diamond • College Station, TX | W 4-0 | Sanchez (1-1) | Cabral (0-1) | None |  | 95 | 2-4 |
Feb. 21 | vs. Texas Tech |  | Davis Diamond • College Station, TX | W 5-0 | Johnson (1-5) | Zoch (1-2) | None |  | 100 | 3-4 |
Feb. 22 | at Texas A&M |  | Davis Diamond • College Station, TX | L 0-22 | Poynter (1-0) | Beaver (1-2) | Broadus (1) | SECN+ | 159 | 3-5 |
Feb. 23 | at No. 11 LSU |  | Tiger Field • Baton Rouge, LA | L 0-3 | Wickersham (2-1) | Sanchez (1-2) | None | SECN+ | 156 | 3-6 |
Feb. 23 | at No. 11 LSU |  | Tiger Field • Baton Rouge, LA | L 0-2 | Kilponen (1-1) | Johnson (1-3) | None | SECN+ | 327 | 3-7 |
Michelle Short Memorial Classic
Feb. 25 | Omaha |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 9-1 | Sanchez (2-2) | Hampton (0-3) | None |  | 84 | 4-7 |
Feb. 25 | Missouri State |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 5-0 | Beaver (2-2) | Hunsaker (2-1) | None |  | 88 | 5-7 |
Feb. 27 | Western Illinois |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 9-1 | Sanchez (3-2) | Carlin (1-2) | None |  | 102 | 6-7 |
| March (13-3)

Date  | Opponent  | Rank  | Site/stadium  | Score  | Win  | Loss  | Save  | TV  | Attendance  | Overall record  | SLC Record
Mar. 3 | Arkansas–Monticello |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 8-0 (5 inns) | Beaver (3-2) | Franks (0-2) | None |  | 113 | 7-7 |
Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic
Mar. 5 | Mississippi Valley State |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 10-0 (5 inns) | Johnson (2-3) | Page (0-3) | None |  | 92 | 8-7 |
Mar. 5 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 10-1 (5 inns) | Beaver (4-2) | Hubbard (0-2) | None |  | 104 | 9-7 |
Mar. 6 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 8-0 (5 inns) | Sanchez (4-2) | Smith (0-2) | None |  | 109 | 10-7 |
Mar. 6 | Western Michigan |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 11-0 (5 inns) | Johnson (3-3) | Galloway (1-3) | None |  | 187 | 11-7 |
Mar. 8 | Lyon |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 3-1 | Beaver (5-2) | Platt (2-5) | None |  | 86 | 12-7 |
Mar. 9 | No. 19 Arkansas |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | L 1-4 | Haff (10-1) | Johnson (3-4) | None | ESPN+ | 755 | 12-8 |
Mar. 12 | at McNeese State |  | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | L 0-1 | Tate (2-5) | Beaver (5-3) | None | ESPN+ | 257 | 12-9 | 0-1
Mar. 13 | at McNeese State |  | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | W 5-4 | Beaver (6-3) | Vallejo (1-4) | None |  | 207 | 13-9 | 1-1
Mar. 13 | at McNeese State |  | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | L 3-5 | Tate (3-5) | Sanchez (4-3) | None |  | 207 | 13-10 | 1-2
Mar. 19 | at Abilene Christian |  | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | W 7-0 | Beaver (7-3) | Bradley (3-8) | None |  | 250 | 14-10 | 2-2
Mar. 19 | at Abilene Christian |  | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | W 8-0 (6 inns) | Johnson (4-4) | White (3-7) | None |  | 250 | 15-10 | 3-2
Mar. 20 | at Abilene Christian |  | Poly Wells Field • Abilene, TX | W 15-2 (5 inns) | Beaver (8-3) | Bradley (3-9) | None |  | 250 | 16-10 | 4-2
Mar. 26 | Sam Houston State |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 11-1 (5 inns) | Beaver (9-3) | Dunn (4-4) | None |  | 218 | 17-10 | 5-2
Mar. 26 | Sam Houston State |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 1-0 | Johnson (5-4) | Vento (3-3) | None |  | 250 | 18-10 | 6-2
Mar. 27 | Sam Houston State |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 5-1 | Johnson (6-4) | Vento (3-4) | None |  | 202 | 19-10 | 7-2
Mar. 30 | Memphis |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | Game postponed to April 27
| April (11–7)

Date  | Opponent  | Rank  | Site/stadium  | Score  | Win  | Loss  | Save  | TV  | Attendance  | Overall record  | SLC Record
Apr. 2 | at Northwestern State |  | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 3-1 | Johnson (7-4) | Howell (5-4) | None |  | 250 | 20-10 | 8-2
Apr. 2 | at Northwestern State |  | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 4-0 | Beaver (10-3) | Delafield (5-2) | None |  | 250 | 21-10 | 9-2
Apr. 3 | at Northwestern State |  | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | W 4-3 | Beaver (11-3) | Rhoden (4-3) | Johnson (1) |  | 203 | 22-10 | 10-2
Apr. 6 | at RV Ole Miss |  | Ole Miss Softball Complex • Oxford, MS | L 1-4 | Borgen (8-4) | Beaver (11-4) | Diederich (1) | SECN+ | 201 | 22-11 |
Apr. 7 | at Mississippi State |  | Nusz Park • Mississippi State, MS | L 3-4 | Willis (11-4) | Beaver (11-5) | None | SECN+ | 66 | 22-12 |
Apr. 9 | Nicholls |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 14-2 | Johnson (8-4) | Danehower (3-5) | None |  | 125 | 23-12 | 11-2
Apr. 9 | Nicholls |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 2-0 | Beaver (12-5) | Moon (1-5) | None |  | 152 | 24-12 | 12-2
Apr. 10 | Nicholls |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 7-1 | Beaver (13-5) | Westbrook (2-6) | Johnson (2) |  | 132 | 25-12 | 13-2
Apr. 17 | at Houston Baptist |  | Husky Field • Houston, TX | W 5-2 | Johnson (9-4) | Patak (5-8) | None |  | 50 | 26-12 | 14-2
Apr. 17 | at Houston Baptist |  | Husky Field • Houston, TX | L 0-1 | Swanson (6-0) | Beaver (13-6) | None |  | 50 | 26-13 | 14-3
Apr. 18 | at Houston Baptist |  | Husky Field • Houston, TX | L 1-2 | Patak (5-8) | Johnson (9-4) | None |  |  | 26-14 | 14-4
Apr. 21 | at No. 8 Arkansas |  | Bogle Field • Fayetteville, AR | L 6-7 (8 inns) | Haff (20-3) | Johnson (9-6) | None | SECN+ | 873 | 26-15 |
Apr. 24 | Stephen F. Austin |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | L 0-3 | Wilbur (24-3) | Johnson (9-7) | None |  | 119 | 26-16 | 14-5
Apr. 24 | Stephen F. Austin |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 7-2 | Beaver (14-6) | Chism (3-1) | None |  | 206 | 27-16 | 15-5
Apr. 25 | Stephen F. Austin |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | L 0-6 | Wilbur (25-3) | Sanchez (4-4) | None |  | 136 | 27-17 | 15-6
Apr. 27 | Memphis |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 4-3 (9 inns) | Beaver (15-6) | Ellett (2-9) | None |  | 107 | 28-17 |
Apr. 30 | at Southeastern Louisiana |  | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | W 6-0 | Johnson (10-7) | Zumo (15-4) | None | ESPN+ | 224 | 29-17 | 16-6
Apr. 30 | at Southeastern Louisiana |  | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | W 5-0 | Beaver (16-6) | Hannabas (2-5) | None | ESPN+ | 224 | 30-17 | 17-6
| May (4-0)

Date  | Opponent  | Rank  | Site/stadium  | Score  | Win  | Loss  | Save  | TV  | Attendance  | Overall record  | SLC Record
May 1 | at Southeastern Louisiana |  | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | W 7-6 (10 inns) | Beaver (17-6) | Zumo (15-5) | None | ESPN+ | 245 | 31-17 | 18-6
May 7 | Lamar |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 7-0 | Johnson (11-7) | Ruiz (3-9) | None |  | 219 | 32-17 | 19-6
May 8 | Lamar |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 12-1 (5 inns) | Beaver (18-6) | Mixon (3-16) | None |  | 218 | 33-17 | 20-6
May 8 | Lamar |  | Farris Field • Conway, AR | W 11-2 (6 inns) | Engelkes (1-0) | Ruiz (3-10) | None |  | 218 | 34-17 | 21-6
Post-Season (3-2)
| Southland Tournament (0-0)

Date  | Opponent  | (Seed)/Rank  | Site/stadium  | Score  | Win  | Loss  | Save  | TV  | Attendance  | Overall record  | Tournament record
May 13 | vs. (3) McNeese State | (2) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | L 5-6 | Tate (12-7) | Johnson (11-8) | Flores (3) | ESPN+ | 335 | 34-18 |
May 14 | vs. (5) Southeastern Louisiana | (2) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | W 2-1 | Beaver (19-6) | Zumo (16-7) | None | ESPN+ | 275 | 35-18 |
May 14 | vs. (4) Northwestern State | (2) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | W 5-2 | Beaver (20-6) | Delafield (12-5) | None | ESPN+ | 339 | 36-18 |
May 15 | vs. (1) Stephen F. Austin | (2) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | W 5-4 | Beaver (21-6) | Wilbur (30-6) | None | ESPN+ | 307 | 37-18 |
May 15 | vs. (3) McNeese State | (2) | North Oak Park • Hammond, LA | L 0-1 | Edwards (9-2) | Johnson (11-9) | Tate (3) | ESPN+ | 345 | 37-19 |

Schedule Source:[5]

*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.

## Postseason

[edit]

### Conference accolades

[edit]

* 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)

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References:[6]

## References

[edit]

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. ^ "Bears Sign Seven to 2021 Recruiting Class". University of Central Arkansas Athletics. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
5. ^ "2021 Softball Schedule". University of Central Arkansas Athletics. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
6. ^ "SFA's Kassidy Wilbur Named Southland Player of the Year". www.southland.org. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

* v
* t
* e

Central Arkansas Sugar Bears softball

Venues|

* Farris Field (1996– )

Coaches|

* Natalie Shock (1996–2005)
* Steve Kissel (2006–2007)
* Natalie Shock (2008)
* David Kuhn (2009– )

Seasons|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Conf]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[PCT]: Winning percentage