WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita State softball team looks to collect its first home win of the year on Thursday, as they take on No. 12 LSU inside Wilkins Stadium at 5:00 p.m., in front of another sellout crowd.
 

WICHITA STATE SOFTBALL

Wichita, Kan.

Wilkins Stadium

GAME 22

Wichita State (12-9) vs. #12 LSU (19-6)

Thursday, March 16

5 P.M. CDT

COX 2022 HD

WatchESPN (Subject to Blackout)

Live Stats

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Scouting No. 12 LSU: Just a year ago, the Tigers went 52-18 overall and 13-11 in the SEC to finish in 7th place. From that team, LSU brings back 15 players, including five starters and three pitchers. 

So far this season, the Tigers have started 19-6 and with wins over Oklahoma State, Illinois State, and No. 2 Auburn.

Bailey Landry has led the way offensively, hitting an astounding .524 in 25 games, while teammate Sahvanna Jaquish is hitting .417.

The Tigers hold a team ERA of 1.75, with two pitchers already receiving at least 10 wins, with Carley Hoover having a record of 11-7 and an ERA of 1.13 while Allie Walljasper has a record of 10-7 and an ERA of 1.49.

The Shockers are 0-1 all-time against the Tigers, falling in the only game in 2000.

Shockers News and Notes:

Wichita State finished this last weekend on a strong note, defeating Tulsa for the fourth time in the last two years. This win snapped a five game losing streak for the Shockers, with losses to North Texas, UTEP, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Montana.

Heading into the LSU game, Wichita State is ranked fifth in the nation in doubles per game with 1.86 doubles per game. 

The Shockers are also second in the Missouri Valley in batting average at .323, first in doubles with 39 and first in home runs with 19.

Senior Katie Malone leads the Missouri Valley in innings pitched (89.0), batters struck out looking (24), wins (10) and is seocnd in the Valley in total strikeouts (79).

The Shockers have played just one other home game so far this year against No. 9 Oklahoma, where the Shockers drew a record 1,113 fans, but lost to the Sooners by a score of 7-3.

Mackenzie Wright hit .435 in six games and earning Missouri Valley Player of the week for the week of March 6.

Katie Malone went a perfect 5-0 in Arlington, throwing 29.1 innings, earning her Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for the week of Feb. 27.

So far this season, the Shocker offense has been led by Kelli Spring who is hitting .371 and by Mackenzie Wright who is hitting .362.

The Shockers have a team ERA of 3.32, with senior Katie Malone throwing 89.0 innings, with a record of 10-5 while freshman Bailey Klitzke has thrown 33.2 innings and has an ERA of 4.16. Jenni Brooks has now made five appearances and has thrown 14.1 innings and allowed 10 earned runs for an ERA of 4.88.

Wichita State finished the 2016 regular season winning 12 of their last 13 games, with a 12 game winning streak being the second longest in school history.

After winning the regular season championship, the Shockers then went on to win the Missouri Valley Tournament Championship, winning both for the first time in school history.

Wichita State then was selected for the 2016 NCAA Regional in Oklahoma, falling to Oklahoma and Ole Miss, but defeating Tulsa for Wichita State's first win in an NCAA Regional.

The Shockers will return four of the seven athletes who recieved All-MVC honors in 2016, including Paige Luellen, Jenni Brooks, Mackenzie Wright and Macklin Hitz.

Paige Luellen had reached base in the first 28 games for the Shockers in 2016, but ended her 33 game on-base streak at Kansas.

Wichita State lost two giant bats from 2016 in Cacy Williams and Brittany Fortner, but look to pick up where they left off, bringing in eight newcomers to battle for playing time with the 8 returning starters from a year ago. Returning starters for the Shockers are Kelli Spring, Laurie Derrico, Mackenzie Wright, Ashley Johnson, Paige Luellen, Macklin Hitz, Jenni Brooks and Katie Malone.

The Shockers also return three other position players including, McKenzie Adams who played in 22 games in 2016, hitting .212. Mauriana Jamele, Kennedy Long, Cassidy Kelsheimer, Bethany Canada and Kaylee Huecker will also return in 2017.

Wichita State returns seniors Katie Malone, who made the most starts among the pitching staff (43) a season ago, and Jenni Brooks, who led the team in ERA (3.23), wins (18), and was second in starts (21), and innings pitched (136.1).

Malone appeared in 43 games while starting 26 for the Shockers. During those 43 appearances (which led the team), she also was second on the team in wins (15), strikeouts (78), complete games (11) and second on the team with an ERA of 4.18. Brooks appeared in 38 games for the Shockers, collecting 18 wins and holding opposing hitters to an average of .271. The Shockers have also brought in two newcomers that will pitch for the Shockers in Bailey Klitzke and Morgan Palmer.

In just her junior season, Paige Luellen is beginning to work her way up the Shocker record book, currently in seventh in batting average (.331), third in slugging percentage (.593), third in on-base percentage (.446) and 10th in walks (75).

Along with Luellen breaking records, senior pitcher Katie Malone is also climbing the ranks as she finishes her senior year. She is third all-time with 60 wins, second all-time with 11 saves, fourth all-time with 146 appearances, fourth all-time with 101 games started and fifth all-time with 399 strikeouts.

Head coach Kristi Bredbenner is entering her sixth season with the Shockers after coaching at Emporia State prior to taking the job at Wichita State.

Wichita State was picked second in the 2016 MVC preseason poll, as voted on by the Valley coaches. The Shockers collected 88 points and three first-place votes. Drake was picked first with 92 points and six first place votes.

Two Shockers were named to the 2017 Preseason First Team All-MVC, including Wright and Hitz.