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2021 Softball Roster

Zach Bland/Mizzou Athletics
Zach Bland/Mizzou Athletics
Zach Bland/Mizzou Athletics
Zach Bland/Mizzou Athletics

33 Cayla Kessinger

  • Position OF
  • Height 5-9
  • Hometown Saugus, Calif.
  • High School Saugus

Biography

  • Second-Team All-America- Softball America (2020)
  • NFCA First-Team Southeast All-Region (2018)
  • Second-Team All-SEC (2018)
  • Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll (2018, 2020)
  • First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll (2016-17)

REDSHIRT JUNIOR (2020)

2020 season was canceled after 26 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Had an inspiring comeback season from thoracic outlet syndrome to earn All-America honors from Softball America.
  • Started all 26 games of the season in left field.
  • Led Mizzou with a .429/.532/.766 batting line while drawing a team-high 17 walks.
  • Went 33-for-77 at the plate with 17 runs. Knocked in four doubles, two triples and six home runs.
  • Surpassed her previous single-season high of 20 RBIs on March 31. 32 RBIs was ninth in the country, and her 1.23 RBIs per game was on-pace to match the school record for RBIs in a season.
  • Ended the season with a 15-game hitting streak, the longest of her career. Streak dates back to Feb. 20.
  • Hit grand slams against Baylor (Feb. 8) and Kansas (Feb. 13).
  • Homered in three-straight games (Nebraska-Wichita State-Kansas City; March 1-4).
  • Went 4-for-4 in a win over Wichita State, including batting in the winning run on a walkoff double.
  • Tripled twice in the Ole Miss series – the first Mizzou player to triple twice in one SEC series.

JUNIOR (2019)

  • Took a redshirt season due to injury.

SOPHOMORE (2018)

  • Breakout second-year campaign with the Tigers, earning NFCA first-team Southeast All-Region honors and second-team All-SEC accolades.
  • One of only three all-time first-team NFCA Southeast All-Region players in program history, joining Emily Crane (2016) and Chelsea Thomas (2013).
  • Reset single-season career-highs in average (.312), hits (49), runs scored (29), doubles (10), home runs (10), RBI (20), stolen bases (7), on-base percentage (.390) and slugging percentage (.580). • Fantastic in SEC only play, hitting .319 with five doubles, six home runs and nine RBI. • 13 total multi-hit games ranked fourth among Tiger batters.
  • The streaks ranked T-8th and T-7th longest individual streaks in program history, respectively. 
  • Handled right-handed pitchers extremely well, hitting at a .328 (44-for-134) clip.
  • Was a fantastic table setter when leading off an inning, hitting .412 (21-for-51).
  • 13 total multi-hit games ranked fourth among Tiger batters.

FRESHMAN (2017)

  • Strong first-year campaign at Mizzou, hitting .298 with eight doubles, one triple, six home runs and 19 RBI.
  • Appeared in 52 total games with 50 starts.
  • Ended the 2017 campaign with season-best 10-game hitting streak and 10-game safely reached base streak.
  • Only one-of-three Tigers to record a double-digit hitting streak.
  • In conference play, her .518 slugging percentage ranked 12th-best in SEC
  • Blasted two home runs in Mizzou Tournament (March 3-5) in official first games at program’s new stadium.

HIGH SCHOOL 

  • 2016 FloSoftball All-American honors.
  • 2016 PGF All-American.
  • 2016 California All-State honoree.
  • 2016 All-Foothill League first ream.
  • Competed with So Cal Choppers club team under head coaches Dean Faucett and Bill Shipman.

PERSONAL

  • Majoring in Hospitality and Management
  • Parents are Cory Kessinger and Michele Bodley. Also has step parents, Jamie Kessinger and Danny Bodley. Has two brothers, Ty Bodley and Caden Kessinger
  • Outside of softball, Cayla enjoys taking pictures and planning events.

Statistics

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 33

    2017Freshman

    OF
    5'9"
    33
  • 33

    2018Sophomore

    OF
    5'9"
    33
  • 33

    2019Junior

    OF
    5'9"
    33
  • 33

    2020Redshirt Junior

    OF
    5'9"
    33
  • 33

    2021Redshirt Senior

    OF
    5'9"
    33