WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State head softball coach
Kristi Bredbenner announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent Wednesday morning.
The Shockers welcome Lainee Brown, Madyson Espinosa, Lauren Johnson, Sydney Nichols, Kiersten Nixon and Bailey Urban.
"With the seniors that we have graduating this year we have a lot of big shoes to fill," Bredbenner said. "This group has the potential to fulfill those needs and more. Their playing experience, speed, power and athleticism will push the returners and make for an exciting season in 2020 for Shocker Softball."
Lainee Brown, Catcher
Lainee Brown comes to Wichita State from Oklahoma City, Okla., and Choctaw High School. Brown was named the 2017 Big 10 Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and 6A All-District Defensive Player of the Year. As a sophomore she landed on the Big 10 Conference First Team at catcher, while also being named the Impact Player of the Year. Helped lead her team to the 2015 6A State Championship as the Newcomer of the Year. In the classroom, Brown is a member of the National Honor Society and is in the running for class valedictorian. She is the daughter of Aaron and Liz Monroe and has one sister, Kaydence.
Bredbenner on Lainee Brown: "Lainee brings a strong arm and a solid defensive presence behind the plate. She has potential to hit for power and provides some much-needed depth and experience at the catcher position. She has played at the highest level in her travel ball experiences and will come into the program ready for the pace of Division I softball."
Madyson Espinosa, Utility
Madyson Espinosa will join the Shockers from St. Louis, Mo., and Ladue High School. A three-year letterwinner, Espinosa was a two-time Second Team All-Conference selection, before earning First Team honors as a junior. She is the daughter of Jose and Cynthia Espinosa and has two brothers (Brandon and Justin) and one sister, Amanda.
Bredbenner on Madyson Espinosa: "Two words easily describes Madyson…. spark plug. Her energy and enthusiasm for the game is apparent in every aspect of her play. Madyson is a versatile infielder that will give us some depth in a number of positions. Madyson is a person that will outwork everyone. She is strong, athletic and will thrive as a student-athlete in the Shocker Softball program."
Lauren Johnson, Outfield
Lauren Johnson, a Wichita, Kan., native comes to the Shocker family from nearby Maize South High School. As a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain, Johnson earned First Team All-State honors as a junior. She is a two-time First Team All-League member and two-time All-Metro Team honoree. Johnson was named the Mel Hambelton Ford Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year nominee. Off the softball field, Johnson is a standout on the hardwood as well. She is a four-year starter on the basketball team and earned First Team All-League honors as a junior. While attending Wichita State, she plans to major in pre-med. Johnson is the daughter of Mark Johnson and Hope Dent and has two brothers, Avery and Anthony.
Bredbenner on Lauren Johnson: "Lauren is adding true speed and athleticism to our roster. She is a true triple threat with her ability to bunt, slap and drive the ball to the outfield. Lauren is a true competitor. She swings a great stick from the left side and will provide us with speed and a strong arm in the outfield. Lauren has a high ceiling and will flourish if she continues to work hard on the field."
Sydney Nichols, Infield
Sydney Nichols will make the move to Wichita State from Cameron, Mo., and Cameron High School. As a four-year letterwinner, Nichols has racked up several honors during her high school career such as: Freshman of the Year, Offensive and Defensive MVP, All-Conference, All-District and All-State. During her junior season, she led the team with 10 home runs, 16 doubles, 46 RBI and a .483 batting average. Helped improve her team's record every year that to the 2017 District Championship. Nichols also lettered all four years on the basketball team, while being named to the all-conference and all-district teams. Chose Wichita State over Kansas, Northern Iowa, Omaha, UMKC and Utah Valley. She is the daughter of Chris and Laurie Nichols and has one brother (Brett) and one sister (Courtney). Her sister, Courtney, played softball at Avila University.
Bredbenner on Sydney Nichols: "Sydney is an experienced middle infielder with a great glove and quick hands. Syd plays for one of best travel ball teams in the Midwest and has really shown a great deal of improvement in her swing over the last year. With her hard work and smooth hands, she will compete for a starting spot in the middle infield."
Kiersten Nixon, Pitcher
Kiersten Nixon hails from O'Fallon, Mo., Troy Buchanan High School. As a senior, she totaled eight home runs, 38 RBI and a .407 batting average at the plate. In the circle, she compiled a 21-3 record, 1.14 ERA and 273 strikeouts in 160 innings. Through three seasons Nixon put together a 58-5 record with 673 strikeouts, while hitting .408 with 119 RBI. She was named the GAC South Player of the Year as a junior and senior and three-time First Team All-Conference honoree. Additionally, she was the 2017 Metro Pitcher of the Year, 2016 Metro Player of the Year, four-time First Team All-District, three-time First Team All-Region, three-time First Team All-Metro, two-time First Team All-State and Second Team All-State as a junior. Helped lead her team to an 80-13-1 record and a state championship in 2016. She is the daughter of Richard and Tiffany Nixon and has one brother (Jaxsun) and one sister (Kaydence). Her cousin is former Major League Baseball pitcher Tommy Hanson. She plans to major in exercise science at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Nixon: "I'm excited to see Kiersten compete at this level. She is an impact pitcher and has tremendous upside. She spins the ball very well for a young pitcher. Her bulldog mentality and desire to learn will make her tough in the circle for the next four years. When you add her to our current pitching staff, she could win a lot of ball games."
Bailey Urban, Outfield
Bailey Urban rounds out the class from Omaha, Neb., and Millard South High School. During her high school career, she totaled 115 hits, 16 home runs, 22 doubles, 90 RBI and a .421 batting average in 97 games. Urban was the 2018 Metro Conference Player of the Year, as well as being named to the All-Nebraska Team and First Team All-State. She was also a two-time Second Team All-State selection, while helping Millard South to an 82-20 record through three years. Her home run in the state title game as a sophomore helped secure the championship. Aside from lettering in softball every year, she has also lettered all four years in basketball. In the classroom, Urban has made the Gold Honor Roll every semester. She chose Wichita State over Boston University and Drake and plans to major in business and finance at WSU. She is the daughter of Tony and Micki Urban and has three brothers: Quentin, AJ and Jackson.
Bredbenner on Bailey Urban: "Bailey is a fantastic athlete. She excels on the high school basketball team at Millard South, but softball is her real love and we are fortunate to benefit from that passion and athleticism for the next four years. She is a big swinger with power to drive the long ball and the speed to steal bases. Her range and arm strength in the outfield will make an immediate impact in our program."
