2021 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears softball team

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.

2021 Central Arkansas Sugar Bears softball
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record37–19 (21–6 Southland)
Head coach
  • David Kuhn (13th season)
Assistant coaches
  • Jenny Parsons
  • Chris Watford
Home stadiumFarris Field
2021 Southland Conference softball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Stephen F. Austin  ‍†‍‍ 25–2 .92635–12 .745
Central Arkansas  ‍‍‍ 21–6 .77837–19 .661
McNeese State  ‍‍‡‍y 18–9 .66735–26 .574
Northwestern State  ‍‍‍ 16–11 .59324–22 .522
Southeastern Louisiana  ‍‍‍ 14–10 .58328–23 .549
Houston Baptist  ‍‍‍ 15–12 .55622–17 .564
Sam Houston State  ‍‍‍ 14–13 .51919–31 .380
Abilene Christian  ‍‍‍ 10–17 .37014–33 .298
Incarnate Word  ‍‍‍ 9–18 .33316–27 .372
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi  ‍‍‍ 8–16 .33318–30 .375
Nicholls  ‍‍‍ 5–22 .18512–28 .300
Lamar  ‍‍‍ 4–23 .1488–43 .157
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of May 22, 2021[1]
Rankings from NFCA

Preseason

Southland Conference Coaches Poll

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)
1Stephen F. Austin235 (17)
2McNeese State217 (4)
3Southeastern Louisiana183
4Sam Houston State172 (1)
5Central Arkansas162 (1)
6Northwestern State156 (1)
7Nicholls131
8Lamar86
9Abilene Christian82
10Houston Baptist81
11Texas A&M–Corpus Christi47
12Incarnate Word32

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]

Player Position Hometown Previous Team
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
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
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
Legend
 Central Arkansas win
 Central Arkansas loss
 Postponement/Cancellation
BoldCentral 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. 12vs. No. 25 DukeTiger Field • Baton Rouge, LAL 2-6Butler (1-0)Johnson (0-1)Walters (1)760-1
Feb. 13vs. No. 25 DukeTiger Field • Baton Rouge, LAL 5-7Davidson (1-0)Sanchez (0-1)Butler (1)720-2
Feb. 13vs. KansasTiger Field • Baton Rouge, LAL 2-4Goff (1-0)Beaver (0-1)None860-3
Texas A&M Invitational
Feb. 20vs. Texas TechDavis Diamond • College Station, TXW 6-1Beaver (1-1)Zoch (1-1)None3061-3
Feb. 20at Texas A&MDavis Diamond • College Station, TXL 0-9 (5 inns)Herzog (1-0)Johnson (0-2)NoneSECN+3061-4
Feb. 21vs. ColoradoDavis Diamond • College Station, TXW 4-0Sanchez (1-1)Cabral (0-1)None952-4
Feb. 21vs. Texas TechDavis Diamond • College Station, TXW 5-0Johnson (1-5)Zoch (1-2)None1003-4
Feb. 22at Texas A&MDavis Diamond • College Station, TXL 0-22Poynter (1-0)Beaver (1-2)Broadus (1)SECN+1593-5
Feb. 23at No. 11 LSUTiger Field • Baton Rouge, LAL 0-3Wickersham (2-1)Sanchez (1-2)NoneSECN+1563-6
Feb. 23at No. 11 LSUTiger Field • Baton Rouge, LAL 0-2Kilponen (1-1)Johnson (1-3)NoneSECN+3273-7
Michelle Short Memorial Classic
Feb. 25OmahaFarris Field • Conway, ARW 9-1Sanchez (2-2)Hampton (0-3)None844-7
Feb. 25Missouri StateFarris Field • Conway, ARW 5-0Beaver (2-2)Hunsaker (2-1)None885-7
Feb. 27Western IllinoisFarris Field • Conway, ARW 9-1Sanchez (3-2)Carlin (1-2)None1026-7
March (13-3)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
Mar. 3Arkansas–MonticelloFarris Field • Conway, ARW 8-0 (5 inns)Beaver (3-2)Franks (0-2)None1137-7
Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic
Mar. 5Mississippi Valley StateFarris Field • Conway, ARW 10-0 (5 inns)Johnson (2-3)Page (0-3)None928-7
Mar. 5Arkansas–Pine BluffFarris Field • Conway, ARW 10-1 (5 inns)Beaver (4-2)Hubbard (0-2)None1049-7
Mar. 6Arkansas–Pine BluffFarris Field • Conway, ARW 8-0 (5 inns)Sanchez (4-2)Smith (0-2)None10910-7
Mar. 6Western MichiganFarris Field • Conway, ARW 11-0 (5 inns)Johnson (3-3)Galloway (1-3)None18711-7
Mar. 8LyonFarris Field • Conway, ARW 3-1Beaver (5-2)Platt (2-5)None8612-7
Mar. 9No. 19 ArkansasFarris Field • Conway, ARL 1-4Haff (10-1)Johnson (3-4)NoneESPN+75512-8
Mar. 12at McNeese StateJoe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LAL 0-1Tate (2-5)Beaver (5-3)NoneESPN+25712-90-1
Mar. 13at McNeese StateJoe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LAW 5-4Beaver (6-3)Vallejo (1-4)None20713-91-1
Mar. 13at McNeese StateJoe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LAL 3-5Tate (3-5)Sanchez (4-3)None20713-101-2
Mar. 19at Abilene ChristianPoly Wells Field • Abilene, TXW 7-0Beaver (7-3)Bradley (3-8)None25014-102-2
Mar. 19at Abilene ChristianPoly Wells Field • Abilene, TXW 8-0 (6 inns)Johnson (4-4)White (3-7)None25015-103-2
Mar. 20at Abilene ChristianPoly Wells Field • Abilene, TXW 15-2 (5 inns)Beaver (8-3)Bradley (3-9)None25016-104-2
Mar. 26Sam Houston StateFarris Field • Conway, ARW 11-1 (5 inns)Beaver (9-3)Dunn (4-4)None21817-105-2
Mar. 26Sam Houston StateFarris Field • Conway, ARW 1-0Johnson (5-4)Vento (3-3)None25018-106-2
Mar. 27Sam Houston StateFarris Field • Conway, ARW 5-1Johnson (6-4)Vento (3-4)None20219-107-2
Mar. 30MemphisFarris Field • Conway, ARGame postponed to April 27
April (11–7)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
Apr. 2at Northwestern StateLady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LAW 3-1Johnson (7-4)Howell (5-4)None25020-108-2
Apr. 2at Northwestern StateLady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LAW 4-0Beaver (10-3)Delafield (5-2)None25021-109-2
Apr. 3at Northwestern StateLady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LAW 4-3Beaver (11-3)Rhoden (4-3)Johnson (1)20322-1010-2
Apr. 6at RV Ole MissOle Miss Softball Complex • Oxford, MSL 1-4Borgen (8-4)Beaver (11-4)Diederich (1)SECN+20122-11
Apr. 7at Mississippi StateNusz Park • Mississippi State, MSL 3-4Willis (11-4)Beaver (11-5)NoneSECN+6622-12
Apr. 9NichollsFarris Field • Conway, ARW 14-2Johnson (8-4)Danehower (3-5)None12523-1211-2
Apr. 9NichollsFarris Field • Conway, ARW 2-0Beaver (12-5)Moon (1-5)None15224-1212-2
Apr. 10NichollsFarris Field • Conway, ARW 7-1Beaver (13-5)Westbrook (2-6)Johnson (2)13225-1213-2
Apr. 17at Houston BaptistHusky Field • Houston, TXW 5-2Johnson (9-4)Patak (5-8)None5026-1214-2
Apr. 17at Houston BaptistHusky Field • Houston, TXL 0-1Swanson (6-0)Beaver (13-6)None5026-1314-3
Apr. 18at Houston BaptistHusky Field • Houston, TXL 1-2Patak (5-8)Johnson (9-4)None26-1414-4
Apr. 21at No. 8 ArkansasBogle Field • Fayetteville, ARL 6-7 (8 inns)Haff (20-3)Johnson (9-6)NoneSECN+87326-15
Apr. 24Stephen F. AustinFarris Field • Conway, ARL 0-3Wilbur (24-3)Johnson (9-7)None11926-1614-5
Apr. 24Stephen F. AustinFarris Field • Conway, ARW 7-2Beaver (14-6)Chism (3-1)None20627-1615-5
Apr. 25Stephen F. AustinFarris Field • Conway, ARL 0-6Wilbur (25-3)Sanchez (4-4)None13627-1715-6
Apr. 27MemphisFarris Field • Conway, ARW 4-3 (9 inns)Beaver (15-6)Ellett (2-9)None10728-17
Apr. 30at Southeastern LouisianaNorth Oak Park • Hammond, LAW 6-0Johnson (10-7)Zumo (15-4)NoneESPN+22429-1716-6
Apr. 30at Southeastern LouisianaNorth Oak Park • Hammond, LAW 5-0Beaver (16-6)Hannabas (2-5)NoneESPN+22430-1717-6
May (4-0)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
May 1at Southeastern LouisianaNorth Oak Park • Hammond, LAW 7-6 (10 inns)Beaver (17-6)Zumo (15-5)NoneESPN+24531-1718-6
May 7LamarFarris Field • Conway, ARW 7-0Johnson (11-7)Ruiz (3-9)None21932-1719-6
May 8LamarFarris Field • Conway, ARW 12-1 (5 inns)Beaver (18-6)Mixon (3-16)None21833-1720-6
May 8LamarFarris Field • Conway, ARW 11-2 (6 inns)Engelkes (1-0)Ruiz (3-10)None21834-1721-6
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 13vs. (3) McNeese State(2)North Oak Park • Hammond, LAL 5-6Tate (12-7)Johnson (11-8)Flores (3)ESPN+33534-18
May 14vs. (5) Southeastern Louisiana(2)North Oak Park • Hammond, LAW 2-1Beaver (19-6)Zumo (16-7)NoneESPN+27535-18
May 14vs. (4) Northwestern State(2)North Oak Park • Hammond, LAW 5-2Beaver (20-6)Delafield (12-5)NoneESPN+33936-18
May 15vs. (1) Stephen F. Austin(2)North Oak Park • Hammond, LAW 5-4Beaver (21-6)Wilbur (30-6)NoneESPN+30737-18
May 15vs. (3) McNeese State(2)North Oak Park • Hammond, LAL 0-1Edwards (9-2)Johnson (11-9)Tate (3)ESPN+34537-19
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

References:[6]

References
  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.
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