The RoundHouse | 9/20/2018 9:38:00 AM

 

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Wichita State softball starts its fall scrimmages this weekend at Wilkins Stadium, playing Avila at 1 p.m. Saturday and Crowder College at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Finding a No. 2 pitcher is one of Wichita State's top priorities this fall. Senior Bailey Lange is established as the ace and pitching coach Ryne Stefankiewicz is evaluating five sophomores to fill out the rest of the rotation.
 
A conversation with Stefankiewicz about his pitching staff:
 
On Lange's emergence as Wichita State's top pitcher:
 
"By the end of the season, she wanted the ball and the team wanted her to have the ball. When she had the ball, we were a pretty darn good softball team. She and I had a talk in the bullpen one day. She was motivated by the chance to pitch at regionals, on television. When she saw that getting close, I think she found a different gear."
 
On evaluating and recruiting pitchers:
 
You try and get pitchers that do different things. You have three types of pitchers – pitchers that go up; pitchers that go down and pitchers that go side to side. I like vertical pitchers. Ideally, you have a good mix of kids that will go up and kids that will go down. You build off that. If you don't have an ace, you kind of have to piece together games.
 
On Caitlin Bingham, who threw 67 1/3 innings last season, second on the team, and compiled a 5.72 ERA:
 
"She's got to get a little more consistent. When she throws strikes, she's hard to hit. She's worked hard on a changeup this off-season. That was her goal over the summer. If she can have those two things, I think she will be really good."

Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.