WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State softball head coach
Kristi Bredbenner announced the signing of eight student-athletes to National Letters of Intent Wednesday afternoon.
The eight future Shockers are Addison Barnard, Camryn Compton, Jessica Garcia, Tatum Long, Lauren Lucas, Jordyn Pipkin, Paige Rocha and Gracie Sullivan.
"The 2020 class has a little bit of everything - speed, power, athleticism, versatility, pitching and defense," Bredbenner said. "Each signee plays travel ball for a well-respected travel program in the Midwest, giving them the experience they need to be ready when they walk on the field as a freshman. Each of these athletes brings a unique personality to the Shocker program but they share similar traits: they all love the game and desire to play it at the highest level. Effort and attitude are the foundation with which Shocker Softball is built. We are looking forward to seeing what this group can accomplish if they show up every day at practice and games with a strong Shocker foundation. We are looking forward to this group putting on the Black and Yellow."
Addison Barnard | Beatrice, Neb. | 5'6" | P/SS
Addison Barnard comes to Wichita State from Beatrice, Neb., and Beatrice High School. A four-year starter and letterwinner for head coach Gary Lytle, Barnard was a two-time First Team All-Conference and two-time First Team Class B selection, while also being named First Team Super State as a senior. She hit .667 with 17 home runs, 13 doubles, 48 RBI and 67 runs scored as a senior. Barnard holds the school record for career home runs with 61. She helped Beatrice to two state runner-up finishes. While not competing on the diamond, Barnard was also on the basketball and track teams. She placed seventh in the long jump as a sophomore and second in the triple jump as a junior at the State Championships, and was an honorable mention all-conference pick in basketball. In the classroom, Barnard was named academic all-conference. She is the daughter of Curt and Deann Barnard, and has three sisters: Avery, Reece and Baylor. She plans to major in health science at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Barnard: "Addison Barnard is one of the most athletic student-athletes we have signed. Addie broke the Nebraska Class B State record for career home runs in 2019 with 61 home runs. The combination of speed, agility and power make her a true threat offensively. Addie is a versatile athlete who could see playing time in the middle infield or outfield next year."
Camryn Compton | Baxter Springs, Kan. | 5'7" | SS
Camryn Compton will make the move to Wichita from Baxter Springs, Kan., and Riverton High School. She was a four-year starter and two-time team captain for head coach Brian Mitchell. As a junior she led the team in hits, doubles, home runs to go with 43 RBI and a .667 batting average. Her career numbers thus far include hitting .552 with 21 home runs, 34 doubles, 21 triples and 113 RBI. Compton is a three-time all-conference honoree and a First Team All-State selection. She helped Riverton to the 2017 3A State Championship and 2019 3A Regional Championship. Aside from playing softball, Compton is also a four-year letterwinner in basketball and two-year letterwinner in volleyball. In volleyball, she was named all-conference honorable mention as a junior and all-conference second team as a senior. In the classroom Compton is a member of the National Honor Society and ranks first in her class with a 4.0 GPA. She is the daughter of Jim and Debbie Compton, and has three sisters: Taylor, Jamee and Morgan. Her sister Taylor played softball at South Dakota State and Jamee is on the team at Newman. She plans to major in business and accounting at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Compton: "Camryn Compton is a strong, powerful athlete that competes in three sports for Riverton High School. Camryn's bat is explosive and she has the potential to be a record-setter at the plate for the Shockers."
Jessica Garcia | Shawnee, Kan. | 5'4" | C/3B
A Kansas native, Jessica Garcia will stay in-state to play softball for the Shockers after a prep career at Mill Valley High School. A four-year starter for head coach Jessica DeWild, Garcia racked up First Team All-Conference honors three times and First Team All-State honors twice. She holds Mill Valley career records in home runs and doubles, and single-season records in home runs and doubles. Garcia helped Mill Valley win the regional championship during her first three years on the team. She is the daughter of Al and Jo Garcia, and has two brothers: David and Tony; and two sisters: Mandy and Steph. All four siblings competed at the collegiate level. Garcia plans to major in sport management at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Garcia: "Jessica Garcia was one of two late commitments we received, and we are very excited that she chose Wichita State. Jess is a true utility that can catch, play a corner infield spot and run down balls in the outfield. Her swing and offensive power are electric and her passion for the game is easily recognizable on the field."
Tatum Long | Enid, Okla. | 5'8" | INF
Another Sooner State product, Tatum Long hails from Enid, Okla., and Chisholm High School. Playing for head coach Kevin Burns, Long is a four-year starter and two-time team captain. She recently completed her senior season hitting .509 and is a four-time First Team All-Conference pick. Other honors include all-state, three-time All-Conference MVP and two-time all-district at shortstop. Long holds the career home run and RBI record at Chisholm. A standout on the basketball court as well, Long averaged a double-double as a junior and is a two-time Vype Top 100 selection. She is the daughter of Micheal and Holly Good, and has one sister Kendyll Good and one brother DJ Long. Her stepfather Micheal played football at K-State. She plans to major in psychology at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Long: "Tatum Long has hit some of the longest home runs I have seen in travel ball. She is a strong, powerful athlete with a great glove. She runs well for her size and will compete for a spot on the corners, in the outfield or as a designated hitter."
Lauren Lucas | Little Elm, Texas | 5'8" | UTL
Lauren Lucas will make the move to Wichita State from Little Elm, Texas, and Little Elm High School. Lucas lettered and started all four years at Little Elm under head coach Jill Miller. She has already earned District Pitcher of the Year, District Offensive Player of the Year and District Co-MVP honors during her first three years, while also racking up Team MVP honors three times, All-State (twice), All-Area (three times) and All-Metroplex accolades. As a junior, Lucas finished with a .633 batting average and 234 strikeouts and a 1.55 ERA in the circle. She holds a career batting average of .616 and 2.88 ERA. Lucas has helped Little Elm to three Bi-District Championships, a regional quarterfinal championship and regional semifinal championship. A member of the volleyball team as well, Lucas earned honorable mention all-district honors. Off the field Lucas is a member of the National Honor Society and Student Athletic Leadership Council. She is the daughter of Brian and Jennifer Lucas, and has one brother, Garrett Scudder and one sister, Rylie Scudder. Her father played college baseball at Northwestern State University, while both siblings played softball (Rylie) at Bethel and baseball (Garrett) at McMurry University. Lucas plans to major in sport management at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Lucas: "Lauren Lucas is one of three student-athletes we are signing that shows her athleticism by pitching for her high school even though it's not the position she will compete for as a Shocker. Lauren has a great lead-off batter mindset. She has quick hands and deceiving speed at the plate and will compete for a spot in the outfield next year."
Jordyn Pipkin | Jenks, Okla. | 5'6" | P/2B
Jordyn Pipkin makes the move north to Wichita from Jenks, Okla., and Jenks High School. Pipkin has been a two-time captain and four-year starter. Pipkin is a three-time First Team All-Conference honoree, while also collecting Trailway South Conference Player of the Year, Co-Pitcher of the Year and All-State honors during her career. She helped her teams to three regional championships and the 2019 Trailway South Conference Championship. She most recently completed her senior campaign with a .409 batting average and 135 strikeouts in the circle. Pipkin hit .494 as a freshman, .500 as a sophomore and .484 as a junior, while also dominating in the circle. Her career pitching record stands at 50-18 with nearly 500 strikeouts. She is the daughter of Jim and Jolette Pipkin, and has one sister Madyson. Her mother played volleyball at Missouri Baptist College. She plans on majoring in elementary education at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Pipkin: "Jordyn Pipkin was a late commitment this fall. Pitching by committee seems to be a growing trend within college softball and a system we have adopted for the 2020 season. Jordyn will give us some depth in the circle. She just moved to the Tulsa area from Wisconsin. With constant coaching and strength and conditioning we feel her raw ability will be a great addition to our pitching staff."
Paige Rocha | Platte City, Mo. | 5'3" | UTL
A native of Platte City, Mo., and Platte County High School, Paige Rocha will join the Shocker Softball family after starting all four years for head coach Callie Peoples. Rocha completed her most recent season hitting .520 with 17 doubles, three triples and a .568 on base percentage. She's collected 82 extra base hits and a .512 batting average throughout her prep career. A four-time All-Conference, All-District and All-Region honoree, Rocha holds school records in batting average and hits. She is the daughter of David and Veronica Rocha, and has one brother Eli. Rocha plans to major in psychology at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Rocha: "Paige Rocha will bring a steady, consistent glove to our defense. She brings a scrappy, determined lefty bat to our lineup and knows how to get on base and make things happen."
Gracie Sullivan | Galena, Kan. | 5'5" | C/SS
Gracie Sullivan joins the Shocker Softball program from Galena, Kan., and Columbus High School. Sullivan is a two-time captain for head coach Amy Saporito. She hit .381 as a junior to earn First Team All-CNC and First Team All-State honors. Outside of softball, Sullivan also played basketball and volleyball for Columbus. On the hardwood Sullivan was named CNC Honorable Mention after helping the team to the 3A Sub-State Championship. She is the daughter of Jim and Lisa Sullivan, and has two brothers: David Newberry and Kory Newberry, and a sister Lyndsi. She plans to major in education at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Sullivan: "Gracie Sullivan brings a strong, quick and accurate arm behind the plate which makes for great defense against would-be base stealers. Gracie is one of three players in this signing class playing for the Texas Glory organization. The experience she is gaining from playing for such a strong organization will prepare her for the D1 level."
