• With 12 votes in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll on April 24, the Shockers continue to be one of the two main polls for the eighth consecutive week. WSU also re-entered the USA Today/NFCA poll this week (R.V.). 

• The American Athletic Conference ranks fourth nationally in the Rating Percentage Index just behind the SEC, Pac-12 and Big-12. Notable conferences behind The American include the ACC and Big Ten. 

• In conference play, the Shockers lead The American in batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, runs scored, hits, RBI's, doubles, home runs and total bases. The pitching staff allow the second lowest opponent batting average in the AAC.
• Ryleigh Buck leads the conference in chances and putouts; she also leads The American in fielding double plays.
• Bailey Lange's six saves on the year lead the American Athletic Conference and place her 5th in the NCAA. She leads the conference in batters struck out looking (48) and is third in total strikeouts (165).
• Mackenzie Wright is hitting .393 on the year; good for 5th in The American. In Conference play only she leads The American in batting average with .532.
• In 44 games so far this season, Mackenzie Wright has reached base in her first at-bat 22 times (50% of all contests).
• Laurie Derrico's team leading ten home runs rank her second in the conference and third all-time at WSU; she is also third in total bases and slugging percentage; she is also second in RBI.
• Bailey Klitzke has given up the least hits in the conference with only 38 through 23 total appearances.

THAT WAS FOR THE SENIORS
The Shockers honored their senior class with a thrilling series win over UCF highlighted by two back-to-back walk-off home runs in the doubleheader on Friday night and emphasized by a 10-0 run-rule on Sunday to complete the win. Mackenzie Wright went 10-for-14 at the plate on her senior weekend with Mauriana Jamele hitting her first career grand slam alongside walk-offs from Bailey Lange and Laurie Derrico. Each of the three seniors also had a hit over the weekend.

TOP-25 SWEEP
The Shockers played Oklahoma State back on March 27 in Stillwater, coming away with their first win over a ranked opponent in two years and first in Stillwater in three. Paige Luellen went 2-for-3 with a solo home run. Bailey Lange and Bailey Klitzke threw a combined 7.0 innings only giving up four hits and two earned runs while striking out seven. The Shockers completed the series sweep on Wednesday night with a 9-6 victory highlighted by four home runs and eight Lange strikeouts for their second win of the season over a top-25 team.

TOP OF THE PACK
The Shockers lead The American in nearly every batting category possible in conference only games. They are first in batting average [.316], slugging percentage [.568], on base percentage [.395], runs scored [95], hits [131]. runs batted in [89], doubles [22]. home runs [26]. total bases [235] and at bats [414].

BOMBS ON BOMBS
The Shockers hit eight home runs in three games to cement their place at the top of the slugging charts in The American. Laurie Derrico leads Wichita State with ten home runs on the year, including a walk-off this past weekend and is second in the AAC charts. Two Shockers have seven on the season while three have six. With 53 home runs on the year, the Shockers have hit the third highest amount in school history with at least six games to go, second to only the 2016 NCAA Regional team [58] and the 2014 MVC Championship squad [56].

WE LIKE STRONG DEFENSE
After hitting 300 career assists last week, shortstop Laurie Derrico broke into the Shocker record books at #15. Currently at 312, if she reaches 332 she will pass 2017 senior Kelli Spring for 14th all-time. Madison Perrigan is also ninth [.987] and Ryleigh Buck 13th for highest fielding percentage [.983].

SWEEP THE HONORS
After a 4-0 week long home stand, Bailey Lange and Mackenzie Wright earned Pitcher and Player of the Week honors from The American. Lange became the first Shocker pitcher in history to earn the honor after picking up three wins in 20.0 innings pitched, striking out 24 and only giving up eight earned runs. Wright went 10-for-14 over the week to propel the Shockers to a sweep of UCF and win over #19/24 Oklahoma State.

LEAD YOUR TEAM #10
Mackenzie Wright became the first athlete in Shocker softball history to earn American Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors, she then became the second on April 22. In conference play she leads The American in batting average (.532), hits and runs scored. She is second in total bases to teammate Ryleigh Buck and is ahead of Laurie Derrico and Bailee Nickerson (3rd and 5th).

THE STATS DON'T LIE
Leading off for the Shockers in 2018, senior Mackenzie Wright has reached base in her first at-bat of the game in 22 of the 44 contests, good for a 50% percentage.

FIRST YEAR DONE RIGHT
Junior pitcher Bailey Lange leads the Shocker pitching staff in wins (15), innings pitched (154.2) and strikeouts (165) in her first full season at WSU. She also leads The American in saves (6), is fifth in wins [15] and leads the conference in looking strikeouts [48]. She is also third in strikeouts per game with 7.47.

BIG HITTERS
Laurie Derrico and Paige Luellen are on course to break more records; this time in home runs. Luellen is currently third all-time with 33 and needs just two to move into second and six to tie first with current Director of Operations Cacy Williams. Derrico is fourth with 31 while current Shocker HD color commentator Jamie Hull is in joint eighth with 24.

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).