2021 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team

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2021 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record24–22 (16–11 Southland)
Head coach
  • Donald Pickett (13th season)
Assistant coaches
Home stadiumLady Demon Diamond
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


The 2021 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball team represented Northwestern State University during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. The Lady Demons played their home games at Lady Demon Diamond and were led by thirteenth year head coach Donald Pickett. 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. Northwestern State was picked to finish sixth in the Southland Conference with 156 votes and 1 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
Sage Hoover Pitcher Edgewood, Texas Rains HS
Adriana Vences Pitcher Marshall, Texas Marshall HS
Haley Parker Pitcher Fort Worth, Texas Bosewell HS
Derika Castillo Utility Houston, Texas Summer Creek HS
Bailie Ragsdale Utility Lone Oak, Texas Lone Oak HS
Vivica Hernandez Outfielder Fort Worth, Texas V. R. Eaton HS
Carson Zachry Infielder Mount Pleasant, Texas Mount Pleasant HS

Roster[edit]

2021 Northwestern State Lady Demons roster
 

Pitchers

  • 5 Jensen Howell - Junior
  • 7 Bronte Rhoden - Sophomore
  • 11 Kenzie Seely - Freshman
  • 15 Emma Callie Delafield - Junior
  • 18 Heather Zook - Freshman
  • 28 Maggie Darr - Freshman

Outfielders

  • 1 Hayley Barbazon - Senior
  • 6 Makenzie Chaffin - Freshman
  • 9 Kaitlyn St. Clair - Senior
  • 21 Elise Vincent - Senior
  • 23 Laney Roos - Freshman
  • 32 Nani Winger - Freshman
  • 44 Casey Irvin - Sophomore
 

Catchers

  • 17 Kat Marshall - Freshman
  • 33 Lexie Roos - Freshman
  • 42 Alexis Perry - Sophomore

Infielders

  • 2 Cayla Jones - Junior
  • 4 Maggie Black - Sophomore
  • 8 Emma Hawthorne - Senior
  • 22 Chelsea Spain - Freshman
  • 40 Alexis Szafran - Freshman

Utilities

  • 12 Taylor Williams - Freshman
  • 14 Keely DuBois - Freshman
  • 24 Kacee Mertens - Freshman
  • 47 Marissa Reed - Sophomore

Coaching staff[edit]

2021 Northwestern State Lady Demons coaching staff
  • Donald Pickett – Head Coach – 12th year
  • Amanda Locke – Assistant Head Coach – 5th year
  • Brooke Boening – Assistant Head Coach – 3rd year

Schedule and results[edit]

Legend
  Northwestern State win
  Northwestern State loss
  Postponement/Cancellation
Bold Northwestern State team member
2021 Northwestern State Lady Demons softball game log
Regular season (22-20)
February (5-2)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission Lady Demon Classic
Feb. 12 Arkansas–Pine Bluff Parc Natchitoches • Natchitoches, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches
Feb. 12 UT Martin Parc Natchitoches • Natchitoches, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches
Feb. 13 Evansville Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches
Feb. 13 Arkansas–Pine Bluff Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches
Feb. 14 Evansville Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches
Feb. 14 Arkansas–Pine Bluff Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Natchitoches
Getterman Classic
Feb. 19 vs. Prairie View A&M Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco
Feb. 19 at No. 23 Baylor Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco
Feb. 20 vs. No. 21 Missouri Getterman Stadium • Waco, TX Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Waco
Feb. 21 at Louisiana–Monroe Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball ComplexMonroe, LA Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe.
Feb. 24 at Louisiana–Monroe Geo-Surfaces Field at the ULM Softball Complex • Monroe, LA Game postponed due to threat of ice on field in Monroe
Feb. 23 Grambling State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 10-0 (5 inns) Rhoden (1-0) Bonner (0-1) None 101 1-0
Feb. 23 Grambling State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 9-1 (5 inns) Howell (1-0) Shells (0-1) None 135 2-0
South Alabama Invitational
Feb. 26 vs. SIU Edwardsville Jaguar FieldMobile, AL W 3-0 (8 inns) Howell (2-0) Ingles (0-1) None 200 3-0
Feb. 27 vs. Middle Tennessee Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL W 2-0 Delafield (1-0) Mead (0-1) Rhoden (1) 200 4-0
Feb. 27 vs. No. 20 Missouri Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL L 0-8 (5 inns) Weber (4-0) Howell (2-1) None 200 4-1
Feb. 28 vs. SIU Edwardsville Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL W 6-5 (8 inns) Guile (1-0) Ingles (0-3) None 200 5-1
Feb. 28 at South Alabama Jaguar Field • Mobile, AL L 1-6 Lackie (5-2) Seely (0-1) None ESPN+ 200 5-2
March (10-6)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
Mar. 3 Louisiana–Monroe Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 3-1 Howell (2-1) Hulett (1-2) None 282 6-2
Wooo Pig Classic
Mar. 5 vs. Drake Bogle ParkFayetteville, AR L 2-12 (5 inns) Hupke (1-0) Howell (3-2) None 448 6-3
Mar. 5 at No. 20 Arkansas Bogle Park • Fayetteville, AR L 5-13 (6 inns) Howell (2-0) Rhoden (1-1) None SECN+ 578 6-4
Mar. 6 vs. Kansas Bogle Park • Fayetteville, AR L 0-5 Reed (4-2) Dealfield (1-1) None 480 6-5
Mar. 6 at No. 20 Arkansas Bogle Park • Fayetteville, AR L 2-13 (5 inns) Haff (9-1) Howell (3-3) None 590 6-6
Mar. 7 vs. Kansas Bogle Park • Fayetteville, AR L 2-6 Mills (1-0) Rhoden (1-2) None 269 6-7
Mar. 12 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces ParkThibodaux, LA W 8-3 Rhoden (2-2) Danehower (3-2) None 123 7-7 1-0
Mar. 12 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA W 10-1 (5 inns) Howell (4-3) Moon (1-3) None 123 8-7 2-0
Mar. 13 at Nicholls Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA W 4-0 Delafield (2-1) LaBure (2-3) None 101 9-7 3-0
Mar. 19 at Incarnate Word H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX W 5-2 Rhoden (3-2) Gunther (1-4) None 75 10-7 4-0
Mar. 19 at Incarnate Word H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX W 17-0 (5 inns) Delafield (3-1) Trapp (0-3) None 75 11-7 5-0
Mar. 20 at Incarnate Word H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX W 5-0 Delafield (4-1) Gunther (1-5) None 75 12-7 6-0
Mar. 26 Houston Baptist Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 2-1 Howell (5-3) Patak (3-6) None 300 13-7 7-0
Mar. 26 Houston Baptist Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 5-1 Delafield (5-1) Venker (2-1) None 300 14-7 8-0
Mar. 27 Houston Baptist Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 7-2 Rhoden (4-2) Patak (3-7) None 200 15-7 9-0
Mar. 30 at Louisiana Tech Lady Techster Softball ComplexRuston, LA L 0-3 Pickett (3-5) Seely (0-2) Hernandez (1) 250 15-8
April (5–10)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
Apr. 2 Central Arkansas Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 1-3 Johnson (7-4) Howell (5-4) None 250 15-9 9-1
Apr. 2 Central Arkansas Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 0-4 Beaver (10-3) Delafield (5-2) None 250 15-10 9-2
Apr. 3 Central Arkansas Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 3-4 Beaver (11-3) Rhoden (4-3) Johnson (1) 203 15-11 9-3
Apr. 9 at Lamar Lamar Softball ComplexBeaumont, TX L 1-3 Mixon (2-10) Howell (5-5) None 119 15-12 9-4
Apr. 9 at Lamar Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX W 15-2 Delafield (6-2) Reyna (1-11) None 119 16-12 10-4
Apr. 10 at Lamar Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX W 5-4 Delafield (7-2) Mixon (2-11) Rhoden (2) 119 17-12 11-4
Apr. 13 at Grambling State GSU Softball Complex • Grambling, LA Game Postponed
Apr. 17 at Stephen F. Austin SFA Softball FieldNacogdoches, TX L 0-2 Wilbur (21-3) Howell (5-6) None 500 17-13 11-5
Apr. 17 at Stephen F. Austin SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX L 5-9 Wilbur (22-3) Rhoden (4-4) None 150 17-14 11-6
Apr. 18 at Stephen F. Austin SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX L 0-6 Wilbur (23-3) Howell (5-7) None 217 17-15 11-7
Apr. 21 at Southern Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA Game postponed
Apr. 21 at Southern Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA Game postponed
Apr. 24 Sam Houston State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 4-3 (9 inns) Howell (6-7) Vento (7-5) None 150 18-15 12-7
Apr. 24 Sam Houston State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 6-4 Delafield (8-2) Dunn (5-9) None 200 19-15 13-7
Apr. 25 Sam Houston State Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 1-6 Billmeier (1-5) Howell (6-8) None 175 19-16 13-8
Apr. 27 Louisiana Tech Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 2-3 (15 inns) Koenig (1-3) Delafield (9-3) None 204 19-17
Apr. 30 at McNeese State Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl DiamondLake Charles, LA L 0-3 Tate (9-7) Howell (6-9) None 401 19-18 13-9
Apr. 30 at McNeese State Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA W 3-2 Delafield (9-3) Flores (5-8) None 401 20-18 14-9
May (2-2)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record
May 1 at McNeese State Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA L 3-5 (8 inns) Tate (10-7) Delafield (0-4) None 478 20-19 14-10
May 7 Southeastern Louisiana Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 9-4 Delafield (10-4) Zumo (15-6) None 200 21-19 15-10
May 7 Southeastern Louisiana Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA W 13-5 (5 inns) Seely (1-2) Hannabas (2-6) None 200 22-19 16-10
May 8 Southeastern Louisiana Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA L 2-7 Comeaux (8-6) Rhoden (4-5) None 150 22-20 16-11
Post-Season (2-2)
Southland Tournament (2-2)
Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament record
May 13 vs. (5) Southeastern Louisiana (4) North Oak ParkHammond, LA W 7-4 Delafield (11-4) Kraft (0-1) None ESPN+ 343 23-20 1-0
May 13 vs. (1) Stephen F. Austin (4) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 1-4 Wilbur (30-4) Howell (6-10) None ESPN+ 335 24-20 1-1
May 14 vs. (7) Sam Houston State (4) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA W 8-0 (5 inns) Delafield (12-4) Dunn (8-12) None ESPN+ 319 24-21 2-1
May 14 vs. (2) Central Arkansas (4) North Oak Park • Hammond, LA L 2-5 Beaver (20-6) Delafield (12-5) None ESPN+ 339 24-22 2-2
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

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. ^ "Lady Demons ink 7 during early-signing period". Northwestern State University Athletics. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "Softball set to play challenging 2021 schedule". Northwestern State University Athletics. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "SFA's Kassidy Wilbur Named Southland Player of the Year". www.southland.org. Retrieved January 6, 2022.