WICHITA, Kan. - Fresh off a 2-2 weekend in Auburn, Ala., the Wichita State softball team continues its tournament schedule with a three-day trip to Huntsville, Texas, for a showdown with four teams at the Bearkat Classic opening with No. 4/5 Washington at 2:30 p.m. and hosts Sam Houston State at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Shockers will face Northern Colorado and Seton Hall on Saturday with a rematch against the Huskies scheduled for Sunday.
SERIES HISTORY VS. TOURNAMENT
The Shockers are 10-6 against the tournament field having won the last meetings against Washington, Sam Houston State and Northern Colorado. Wichita State has never played Seton Hall in softball.
Washington - 1-2
Sam Houston State - 4-2
Northern Colorado - 5-1
Seton Hall - Never Met
SCOUTING WASHINGTON
No. 4/5 Washington opened the 2018 season in dominating fashion; scoring 70 runs and only allowing three in return on a 5-0 weekend at the Bradley Invitational. Junior pitcher Taran Alvelo didn't give up a hit on the weekend, also extending her scoreless streak to 14.0 innings; the second longest of her career. The Huskies return 15 letterwinners and eight starters from the 2017 squad that reached the College World Series, falling to both Florida and eventual National Champions Oklahoma, both of whom played in the title game. As a program Washington have three conference championships, 24 NCAA appearances, 12 College World Series appearances and one National Championship. They have been selected to finish third in the 2018 Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll with sophomore infielder Sis Bates selected to the USA Women's National Team prior to the season. Alvelo and Taylor Van Zee have also been selected to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year watch list.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the fourth meeting between the Shockers and Huskies with Wichita State trailing in the series 1-2. All three games have been at neutral sites.
LAST MEETING WITH THE HUSKIES
The Shockers last faced Washington in Feb. 2008, run-ruling the No. 22 Huskies at the Lobo Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. 18-0 behind a 10-run fourth inning. Senior shortstop Britnee Barnett went 3-for-5, collecting four RBI with a two-run home run the highlight.
SCOUTING SAM HOUSTON STATE
The Bearkats opened the 2018 season at the Bobcat Classic, coming away with a 1-3 record with a win over Portland State the lone victory. Sam Houston State returns 13 letterwinners from a 2017 squad that went 24-27, finishing fifth in the Southland Conference and have been picked to finish seventh in the Preseason Coaches Poll.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the seventh meeting between the Shockers and the Bearkats with Wichita State holding a 4-2 series lead. WSU holds a 2-0 lad in Wichita with an even 2-2 record on neutral sites. This will be the first time the Shockers have played Sam Houston State on the road.
LAST MEETING WITH THE BEARKATS
The teams last faced in Feb. 2012, head coach
Kristi Bredbenner's first season in charge, with the Shockers coming out on top 6-4 at the North Texas Tournament; the win was the second of the Bredbenner era.
SCOUTING NORTHERN COLORADO
Northern Colorado opened the 2018 season with a 3-2 record at the Loyola Tournament; picking up wins over IUPUI, Wright State and former Missouri Valley foe Loyola-Chicago. The Bears return six starters from a 2017 squad that went 20-35 and 8-13 in conference play with All-Big Sky Second Team honoree Jordyn Wiatrak returning after ranking second in the Big Sky with 124 assists. The Bears were selected to finish seventh in the Preseason Big Sky Coaches Poll.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the seventh meeting between Northern Colorado and Wichita State with the Shockers on a five-game win streak, leading the series 5-1 overall. WSU hold a 3-0 record in Wichita and 2-1 at neutral sites.
LAST MEETING WITH THE BEARS
The Shockers last faced Northern Colorado in March 2016 for a series at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita, Kan. WSU took both games, scoring 18 runs and only allowing one in return. Senior
Paige Luellen, then a sophomore, went 1-for-3 at the plate, scoring two runs and having two RBI.
BEGINNERS LUCK? WE HOPE NOT!
Two Shocker freshman and one junior transfer had significant contributions on WSU's opening weekend. Transfer junior
Bailey Lange started three games in the circle, having 19 strikeouts through four games with a 3.32 ERA. Another pitcher,
Caitlin Bingham, contributed over the plate and in the circle, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one home run. Outfielder
Bailee Nickerson moved from the eight to the two stop after hitting two home runs vs. Tennessee Tech.
NICKERSON TABS HONOR ROLL
Bailee Nickerson earned a spot on the first American Athletic Conference Softball Honor Roll list after hitting .300 on the opening weekend. The freshman from Paris, Texas, went 3-for-10 with three walks, two home runs and five RBI for a .500 on base percentage.
MOVING ON UP
Multiple current Shockers have individual career records in the top-10 record books.
Mackenzie Wright is tied fifth in batting average [.333],
Laurie Derrico is second in slugging percentage [.595] with
Paige Luellen [third] and Wright [fourth] seperated by four percentiles in on base percentage.
GETTING 'EM ROUND
Senior
Paige Luellen needs 13 RBI to move into first place in the Shocker record books. Currently in third with 124, if Luellen reaches 136 she will overtake current softball director of operations
Cacy Williams who played at Wichita State from 2014-16.
DRAWING AND STEALING
Seniors
Paige Luellen and
Mackenzie Wright both continue to climb the Shocker record books in walks and stolen bases. Luellen is tied third in walks with 93 [needs 12 to move into first] with Wright fifth in stolen bases with 44 [needs 13 to move into first].
YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR
Since
2014, every Shocker softball squad has entered the batting record books with the
'14, '15, '16 and
'17 teams all holding top-six positions in multiple categories including highest batting average, highest slugging percentage, highest on base percentage, most runs scored, most hits, most doubles, most home runs and most RBI's.
STACKED SCHEDULE
The Shockers face off against 11 teams that reached the 2017 NCAA Tournament; including two teams that reached the College World Series in Washington (play twice at the Sam Houston State Tournament) and defending National Champion Oklahoma (the Shockers travel to Norman in April).
STAYING IN THE LOOP
Follow the Shocker softball program on twitter (
@GoShockersSB) for up-to-date content and in-game updates. You can also become a fan of Wichita State Softball on Facebook (
WichitaStateSoftball) and Instagram (
GoShockersSB).
