American college baseball season
The 2021 Central Arkansas Bears baseball team represented the University of Central Arkansas during the 2021 NCAA Division I baseball season . The Bears played their home games at Bear Stadium and were led by fifteenth–year head coach Allen Gum . They were members of the Southland Conference . This was Central Arkansas' final year in the Southland as they will be moving to the ASUN Conference for the 2022 season.
Preseason
Southland Conference coaches poll The Southland Conference coaches poll was released on February 11, 2021, and the Bears were picked to finish second in the conference with 247 votes and five first place votes.[ 2]
Coaches poll
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Sam Houston State
276 (17)
2
Central Arkansas
247 (5)
3
McNeese State
244 (1)
4
Southeastern Louisiana
243 (3)
5
Northwestern State
193
6
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi
146
7
Incarnate Word
144
8
Nicholls
108
9
New Orleans
101
10
Abilene Christian
98
11
Stephen F. Austin
92
12
Lamar
87
13
Houston Baptist
49
Preseason All-Southland Team & honors[ 3]
First Team Ryan Flores (UIW, 1st Base)
Nate Fisbeck (MCNS, 2nd Base)
Beau Orlando (UCA, 3rd Base)
JC Correa (LAMR, Shortstop)
Gavin Johnson (SHSU, Catcher)
Clayton Rasbeary (MCNS, Designated Hitter)
Sean Arnold (UIW, Outfielder)
Brandon Bena (HBU, Outfielder)
Colton Cowser (SHSU, Outfielder)
Noah Cameron (UCA, Pitcher)
Will Dion (MCNS, Pitcher)
Kyle Gruller (HBU, Pitcher)
Conner Williams (UCA, Pitcher)
Itchy Burts (TAMUCC, Utility)
Second Team Preston Faulkner (SELA, 1st Base)
Logan Berlof (LAMR, 2nd Base)
Anthony Quirion (LAMR, 3rd Base)
Reid Bourque (MCNS, Shortstop)
Chris Sandberg (NICH, Catcher)
Lee Thomas (UIW, Designated Hitter)
Josh Ragan (UCA, Outfielder)
Jack Rogers (SHSU, Outfielder)
Tyler Smith (NSU, Outfielder)
John Gaddis (TAMUCC, Pitcher)
Gavin Stone (UCA, Pitcher)
Luke Taggart (UIW, Pitcher)
Jeremy Rodriguez (SFA, Pitcher)
Jake Dickerson (MCNS, Utility)
Roster
2021 Central Arkansas Bears roster
Pitchers
11 Brady Walker - Redshirt Freshman
12 Mark Moyer - Senior
14 John Breaux - Sophomore
15 Trent Gregson - Freshman
16 Brad Verel - Redshirt Freshman
18 Tyler Cleveland - Redshirt Freshman
21 Ryan Johnston - Junior
24 Conner Williams - Senior
28 Jack Haley - Freshman
30 Tyler Navarro - Junior
32 Logan Gilbertson - Junior
33 Cole Halpin - Junior
34 Dillan Janak - Sophomore
35 Jackson Kraus - Freshman
37 Andrew Shoultz - Sophomore
38 Noah Cameron - Sophomore
39 Jesse Barker - Freshman
41 Tate Busey - Freshman
43 Brant Morris - Freshman
49 Ryan Hallstrom - Freshman
50 Kaydon Patrick - Freshman
51 Wes Sutton - Freshman
52 Eli Thomas - Freshman
Catchers
10 Beau Orlando - Senior
25 Nathaniel Sagdahl - Senior
26 Andrew Pollum - Redshirt Freshman
31 A. J. Mendolia - Freshman
36 Connor Flagg - Freshman
Infielders
2 Ramon Vingochea - Sophomore
3 RJ Pearson - Junior
6 Taylor Daniell - Junior
8 Coby Potvin - Senior
13 Christian Brasher - Senior
17 Rylan Meek - Junior
20 Benny Ayala - Junior
27 Tanner Leonard - Freshman
40 Hunter Hicks - Sophomore
42 Brock Kuehler - Freshman
44 Cade White - Freshman
47 Avery Williams - Freshman
Outfielders
1 Kolby Johnson - Sophomore
5 Kinner Brasher - Junior
9 Alonso Bibiano - Senior
19 Connor Emmet - Junior
23 Drew Sturgeon - Freshman
Coaching staff
2021 Central Arkansas Bears coaching staff
Allen Gum – Head coach – 11th year
Nick Harlan – Associate head coach/pitching coach – 8th year
Justin Cunninghamn – Assistant head coach/recruiting coordinator – 4th year
Hayden Simpson – Volunteer assistant coach
Schedule and results
Legend
Central Arkansas win
Central Arkansas loss
Postponement/Cancelation/Suspensions
Bold
Central Arkansas team member
2021 Central Arkansas Bears baseball game log
Regular season (23-28)
February (1-2)
Date
Opponent
Rank
Site/stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
TV
Attendance
Overall record
SLC Record
Feb. 21
Western Illinois
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
Game cancelled
Feb. 22
Western Illinois
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
Game cancelled
Feb. 22
Western Illinois
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
Game cancelled
Feb. 26
at Missouri State
Hammons Field • Springfield, MO
L 1-6
Russell (1-0)
Moyer (0-1)
None
439
0-1
Feb. 27
at Missouri State
Hammons Field • Springfield, MO
W 5-2
Janak (1-0)
Viertel (0-1)
Cleveland (1)
815
1-1
Feb. 28
at Missouri State
Hammons Field • Springfield, MO
L 2-12
Wiley (1-0)
Johnston (0-1)
None
420
1-2
March (8-10)
Date
Opponent
Rank
Site/stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
TV
Attendance
Overall record
SLC Record
Mar. 3
at Little Rock
Gary Hogan Field • Little Rock, AR
L 3-5
Evans (1-0)
Gregson (0-1)
Barkley (1)
294
1-3
Mar. 5
Tarleton State
• ConwBear Stadium ay, AR
W 6-1
Moyer (1-1)
Pinedo (1-2)
Cleveland (2)
210
2-3
Mar. 6
Tarleton State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 19-2
Johnston (1-1)
Gagnon (0-3)
None
245
3-3
Mar. 7
Missouri State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 9-15
Wiley (2-0)
Cleveland (0-1)
None
256
3-4
Mar. 12
Abilene Christian
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 8-9 (11 inns)
Riley (4-0)
Cleveland (0-2)
None
265
3-5
0-1
Mar. 13
Abilene Christian
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 4-5
Cervantes (2-0)
Johnston (1-2)
Huffing (1)
274
3-6
0-2
Mar. 13
Abilene Christian
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 6-3
Janak (2-0)
Stephenson (0-3)
Cleveland (3)
232
4-6
1-2
Mar. 14
Abilene Christian
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 9-8
Gilbertson (1-0)
Morgan (0-1)
Cleveland (4)
284
5-6
2-2
Mar. 19
at Lamar
Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX
L 5-7
Michael (1-0)
Moyer (1-2)
Dallas (6)
785
5-7
2-3
Mar. 20
at Lamar
Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX
W 5-2
Cleveland (1-2)
Bravo (2-1)
None
805
6-7
3-3
Mar. 20
at Lamar
Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX
L 2-7
Palmer (2-0)
Janak (2-1)
None
805
6-8
3-4
Mar. 21
at Lamar
Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX
W 6-1
Cleveland (2-2)
Johnson (1-1)
None
658
7-8
4-4
Mar. 23
at No. 4 Ole Miss
Swayze Field • Oxford, MS
L 2-5
Mallitz (2-1)
Johnston (1-3)
Broadway (4)
SECN+
6,847
7-9
Mar. 26
at Incarnate Word
Sullivan Field • San Antonio, TX
W 12-7
Haley (1-0)
Rollins (1-2)
Gregson (1)
82
8-9
5-4
Mar. 27
at Incarnate Word
Sullivan Field • San Antonio, TX
L 11-12
Garza (2-0)
Verel (0-1)
None
115
8-10
5-5
Mar. 27
at Incarnate Word
Sullivan Field • San Antonio, TX
L 2-10
McElmeel (2-0)
Janak (2-2)
Hayward (1)
115
8-11
5-6
Mar. 28
at Incarnate Word
Sullivan Field • San Antonio, TX
W 4-3
Cleveland (3-2)
Martinez (0-1)
None
92
9-11
6-6
Mar. 30
at No. 2 Arkansas
Baum–Walker Stadium • Fayetteville, AR
L 8-21
Ramage (1-1)
Janak (2-3)
None
SECN+
5,735
9-12
April (6-10)
Date
Opponent
Rank
Site/stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
TV
Attendance
Overall record
SLC Record
Apr. 1
Sam Houston State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 2-3
Davis (4-1)
Williams (0-1)
Lusk (3)
185
9-13
6-7
Apr. 2
Sam Houston State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 0-2
Robinson (2-1)
Moyer (1-3)
Lusk (4)
122
9-14
6-8
Apr. 2
Sam Houston State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 1-3
Dillard (1-3)
Busey (0-1)
Lusk (5)
155
9-15
6-9
Apr. 3
Sam Houston State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 4-10
Atkinson (3-1)
Gilbertson (1-1)
None
258
9-16
6-10
Apr. 6
at Arkansas State
Tomlinson Stadium–Kell Field • Jonesboro, AR
Game postponed
Apr. 9
at No. 14 Oklahoma State
O'Brate Stadium • Stillwater, OK
Game cancelled
Apr. 10
at No. 14 Oklahoma State
O'Brate Stadium • Stillwater, OK
Game cancelled
Apr. 11
at No. 14 Oklahoma State
O'Brate Stadium • Stillwater, OK
Game cancelled
Apr. 14
Little Rock
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 4-2
Moyer (2-3)
Beardsley (0-1)
Cleveland (5)
345
10-16
Apr. 16
at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi
Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX
L 4-7
Ramirez (3-2)
Cleveland (3-3)
None
239
10-17
6-11
Apr. 17
at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi
Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX
L 1-2
Thomas (2-1)
Moyer (2-4)
Bird (1)
197
10-18
6-12
Apr. 18
at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi
Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX
L 1-5
Gaddis (2-3)
Gilbertson (1-2)
None
167
10-19
6-13
Apr. 18
at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi
Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX
L 4-10
Ramirez (4-1)
Busey (0-2)
None
167
10-20
6-14
Apr. 20
Arkansas State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 5-3
Shoultz (1-0)
Albat (0-1)
Cleveland (6)
245
11-20
Apr. 23
Stephen F. Austin
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 10-9 (10 inns)
Cleveland (4-3)
Koch (1-1)
None
245
12-20
7-14
Apr. 24
Stephen F. Austin
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 2-8
Todd (3-2)
Moyer (2-5)
None
325
12-21
7-15
Apr. 25
Stephen F. Austin
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 7-6
Navarro (1-0)
Gauthe (1-2)
None
310
13-21
8-15
Apr. 25
Stephen F. Austin
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 9-0
Cleveland (5-3)
Sgambelluri (2-3)
None
310
14-21
9-15
Apr. 30
Northwestern State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 4-8
Harmon (4-2)
Gilbertson (1-3)
Brown (3)
295
14-22
9-16
Apr. 30
Northwestern State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 3-1
Williams (1-1)
Carver (5-4)
Cleveland (7)
348
15-22
10-16
May (8–6)
Date
Opponent
Rank
Site/stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
TV
Attendance
Overall record
SLC Record
May 1
Northwestern State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 9-2
Moyer (3-5)
David (2-5)
None
348
16-22
11-16
May 1
Northwestern State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 13-8
Verel (1-1)
Ohnoutka (2-1)
Navarro (1)
348
17-22
12-16
May 7
at New Orleans
Maestri Field at Privateer Park • New Orleans, LA
W 15-5
Verel (2-1)
Erbe (1-4)
Gilbertson (1)
437
18-22
13-16
May 8
at New Orleans
Maestri Field at Privateer Park • New Orleans, LA
L 0-11
Turpin (8-2)
Moyer (3-6)
None
492
18-23
13-17
May 8
at New Orleans
Maestri Field at Privateer Park • New Orleans, LA
W 8-0
Williams (2-1)
Mitchell (4-2)
Cleveland (8)
358
19-23
14-17
May 9
at New Orleans
Maestri Field at Privateer Park • New Orleans, LA
L 3-4
LeBlanc (1-3)
Gregson (0-2)
Seroski (10)
371
19-24
14-18
May 11
Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
Game cancelled
May 14
at Houston Baptist
Husky Field • Houston, TX
L 1-7
Coats (3-6)
Navarro (1-1)
None
19-25
14-19
May 14
at Houston Baptist
Husky Field • Houston, TX
W 8-6
Moyer (4-6)
Zarella (0-6)
Cleveland (9)
400
20-25
15-19
May 15
at Houston Baptist
Husky Field • Houston, TX
W 3-2
Cleveland (6-3)
Reitmeyer (2-4)
None
21-25
16-19
May 15
at Houston Baptist
Husky Field • Houston, TX
L 6-8
Smitherman (1-2)
Janak (2-4)
None
400
21-26
16-20
May 20
McNeese State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 8-1
Moyer (5-6)
Hudgens (1-3)
None
348
22-26
17-20
May 21
McNeese State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 1-6
Dion (8-4)
Williams (2-2)
None
304
22-27
17-21
May 21
McNeese State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
L 5-6 (10 inns)
Foster (1-3)
Williams (2-3)
None
255
22-28
17-22
May 22
McNeese State
Bear Stadium • Conway, AR
W 5-4
Gilbertson (2-3)
Abraham (3-3)
Verel (1)
410
23-28
18-22
Schedule Source: [ 4]
*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the D1Baseball poll.
Postseason
Conference accolades Player of the Year: Colton Cowser – SHSU
Hitter of the Year: Colton Eager – ACU
Pitcher of the Year: Will Dion – MCNS
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Tyler Cleveland – UCA
Freshman of the Year: Brennan Stuprich – SELA
Newcomer of the Year: Grayson Tatrow – ACU
Clay Gould Coach of the Year: Rick McCarty – ACU
All Conference First Team
Chase Kemp (LAMR)
Nate Fisbeck (MCNS)
Itchy Burts (TAMUCC)
Bash Randle (ACU)
Mitchell Dickson (ACU)
Lee Thomas (UIW)
Colton Cowser (SHSU)
Colton Eager (ACU)
Clayton Rasbeary (MCNS)
Will Dion (MCNS)
Brennan Stuprich (SELA)
Will Warren (SELA)
Tyler Cleveland (UCA)
Anthony Quirion (LAMR)
All Conference Second Team
Preston Faulkner (SELA)
Daunte Stuart (NSU)
Kasten Furr (UNO)
Evan Keller (SELA)
Skylar Black (SFA)
Tre Obregon III (MCNS)
Jack Rogers (SHSU)
Pearce Howard (UNO)
Grayson Tatrow (ACU)
Chris Turpin (UNO)
John Gaddis (TAMUCC)
Trevin Michael (LAMR)
Caleb Seroski (UNO)
Jacob Burke (SELA)
All Conference Third Team
Luke Marbach (TAMUCC)
Salo Iza (UNO)
Austin Cain (NICH)
Darren Willis (UNO)
Ryan Snell (LAMR)
Tommy Cruz (ACU)
Tyler Finke (SELA)
Payton Harden (MCNS)
Mike Williams (TAMUCC)
Cal Carver (NSU)
Levi David (NSU)
Dominic Robinson (SHSU)
Jack Dallas (LAMR)
Brett Hammit (ACU)
All Conference Defensive Team
Luke Marbach (TAMUCC)
Nate Fisebeck (MCNS)
Anthony Quirion (LAMR)
Darren Willis (UNO)
Gaby Cruz (SELA)
Julian Gonzales (MCNS)
Colton Cowser (SHSU)
Avery George (LAMR)
Will Dion (MCNS)
References: [ 5]
References