WICHITA, Kan. - The Shockers look to continue their hot start to Missouri Valley Conference play, as they host Illinois State this weekend for a three-game series beginning at Saturday at noon.
 

WICHITA STATE SOFTBALL

Wichita, Kan.

Wilkins Stadium

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GAME 27

Wichita State (16-10, 3-0)   Illinois State (13-12, 3-0)

Saturday, March 25

12 P.M. CT

The Valley on ESPN3

WatchESPN3

Live Stats

GAME 28

Wichita State (16-10, 3-0)   Illinois State (13-12, 3-0)

Saturday, March 25

2:30 P.M. CT

The Valley on ESPN3

WatchESPN3

Live Stats

GAME 29

Wichita State (16-10, 3-0)   Illinois State (13-12, 3-0)

Sunday, March 26

11 A.M. CT

The Valley on ESPN3

WatchESPN3

Live Stats

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Scouting Illinois State: The Redbirds have started the season with a 13-12 record overall, with a big win over No. 17 Missouri in Tempe, Ariz. 

Illinois State finished the 2016 season with a record of 20-33 overall and 10-14 in the Missouri Valley Conference. 

So far this year, Shannon Felde is batting .510, but has only played in 14 games for the Redbirds. Allison Spence has played in all 25 games and is hitting .370 on the year. Jordan de los Reyes is also leading the team with five home runs and 25 RBI.

Sarah Finck has pitched 102.0 innings for the Redbirds this year and has a record of 9-6, with an ERA of 2.68. Ali Domkuski is the only other Redbird pitcher with at least 20 innings at 29.1 and an ERA of 6.20.

The Shockers faced the Redbirds three times last year, taking two of three in Normal. 

Shockers News and Notes: The Shockers head into this weekend on a four game winning streak, defeating Drake last weekend three times and defeating Nebraska by a score of 7-5 on Monday. 

After sweeping Drake last weekend, the Shockers have started conference play 3-0 for the first time since 2007. In 2007, the Shockers also swept Drake at home to begin MVC play.

In this years first RPI ranking, the Shockers are placed at 74th.

Wichita State finished the Tulsa Invitational 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.

Senior Katie Malone is currently tied for ninth in the nation with 14 wins.

The Shockers are also first in the Missouri Valley in batting average at .321, first in slugging percentage (.493), first in hits (233), first in RBI (135), first in doubles with 44 and first in home runs with 25.

Senior Katie Malone leads the Missouri Valley in innings pitched (116.2), wins (14) and is tied for second in the Valley in total strikeouts (94).

The first two home games of the year brought in 1,113 people and 1,115 people respectively, both setting new Wilkins Stadium record.

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 .373 and by Mackenzie Wright who is hitting .381.

The Shockers have a team ERA of 3.01, with senior Katie Malone throwing 116.2 innings, with a record of 14-6 while freshman Bailey Klitzke has thrown 34.2 innings and has an ERA of 4.04. Jenni Brooks has now made seven appearances and has thrown 20.2 innings and allowed 14 earned runs for an ERA of 4.74.

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.