American college softball season
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
Southland Conference Coaches Poll 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 [ 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]
Roster
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
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
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 Complex • Monroe, 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 Field • Mobile, 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 Park • Fayetteville, 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 Park • Thibodaux, 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 Complex • Ruston, 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 Complex • Beaumont, 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 Field • Nacogdoches, 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 Diamond • Lake 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 Park • Hammond, 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
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
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)
References: [ 6]
References
Venues Head coaches
Pam Carey (1979)
Debra Pheil (1980)
James Smith (1981–1984)
Linda Jones (1985–1986)
Rickey McCalister (1987–1994)
Gay McNutt (1995–2000)
Ty Singleton (2001–2002)
Eileen Schmidt (2003–2004)
Mike Perniciaro (2005)
Becky McMurtry (2006–2008)
Donald Pickett (2009– )
Seasons Women's College World Series appearances in italics