WICHITA, Kan.- The Wichita State softball team continues conference play with UConn this weekend, with the first event of the 50 Years of Women's Athletics year-long celebration taking place. 

SCOUTING UCONN
After winning its first three games of the season, UConn is riding the struggle bus. The Huskies come into Wichita on a four-game losing streak and got swept last weekend in the first conference series against UCF. UConn has dropped six of their last 10 games and are seeking their first win over Wichita State in the last five tries. Briana Marcelino leads the Huskie offense with a .358 batting average, collecting five doubles and driving in 15 runs in the process. While Ashley Esty does not get a lot of runs on the board, she comes in as an efficient hitter with a .327 batting average. Marybeth Olson is UConn's ace in the circle, having an earned run average under two so far this season.

LAST MEETING
Looking for their first sweep in American Athletic Conference play, Wichita State looked for the finish in Storrs last season. Mackenzie Wright and Bailey Lange led the Shockers to a 4-3 victory over UConn to sweep its first conference road series in two years. Wright went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and a single RBI while Lange went perfect through the first four innings in the circle.

50 YEARS OF WOMEN'S ATHLETICS
This year marks the 50th season of intercollegiate women's athletics at WSU and the Shockers will celebrate that milestone over the next 10 months, highlighted by sport reunions, recognitions and other special events. The first event will be March 29-31 at softball this weekend. During the UConn series, WSU will be honoring the 1989 Gateway Tournament championship team, the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference championship team and all former Wichita State softball coaches.

DON'T COUNT US OUT
When the Shockers have been down to their last out, the party has just gotten started for them at the plate. Wichita State has scored 54 runs with two outs, hitting 10 out of 23 of its home runs during that stretch.

GETTING 'EM AROUND
Senior Laurie Derrico needs four home runs to move into first place in the Shocker record books. Currently in second with 36, if Derrico reaches 40 she will overtake Cacy Williams who played at Wichita State from 2014-16. Derrico has reached double figures in home runs in the previous two seasons.

FRIENDLY COMPETITION
As leaders of Wichita State's all-time slugging percentage list, Madison Perrigan and Laurie Derrico have been competing for the top spot. Perrigan recently passed Derrico for the third-highest slugging percentage in program history this weekend, now having a mark of .578. Cacy Williams (2014-16) leads the pack with a .637 career slugging percentage.

BUCK BOMBS
Ryleigh Buck has provided an offensive spark for the Shockers in the previous four games, hitting .667 with eight hits. Buck has come up with at least two hits in three of the last four games, driving in five RBIs in the process. The Wellington, Kan., native came up with her second career American Athletic Conference honor roll this week and is currently on a six-game hitting streak.

LAYING DOWN THE BUNTS
In addition to making an impact at the plate for Wichita State, Wylie Glover has managed to get on first base off the bunt. Glover is 8-for-11 when bunting with one sacrifice bunt, hitting .727 during that stretch.

GETTING THE BASES
Madison Perrigan has made it her mission to get on base under any circumstance. She currently leads the American Athletic Conference in total bases with 61 and the most walks drawn with 28. Having an on-base percentage of .492 this season, Perrigan also co-leads the conference in home runs with six.

POWER AGAINST THE LEFTY
Bredbenner has made it a key to have identical power against left-handed pitchers as the Shockers do against right-handed pitchers. Wichita State has done exactly that this year, hitting .379 as a team against left-handed pitchers. The Shockers have compiled 12 RBI and four doubles while hitting a home run during that stretch.

TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE
Double plays have been key to Wichita State's defensive success, turning 14 in 2019. Laurie Derrico and Ryleigh Buck lead the American Athletic Conference in double plays with 10, with Kaylee Huecker not far behind. Huecker is third in the conference with eight this season.

OFFENSIVE POWER
The Shockers are leading the American Athletic Conference in several offensive categories, including hits, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and batting average. Wichita State also holds a commanding lead in home runs and walks against its conference foes.