The RoundHouse | 10/22/2020 5:04:00 PM

 


Wichita State is wrapping up fall softball with its final scrimmages (closed to the public) over the next few days, depending on weather.
 
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Shockers did not play scrimmages against other schools, as is the usual routine. Coaches replaced those tests by dividing up teams with a draft and a fantasy-style individual points competition that rewarded both statistics and team wins. The points leaders served as captains for the draft for the next scrimmage.
 
"It puts a new level of competitive on it," first baseman Neleigh Herring said. "You're not just competing during games, you're competing for yourself, trying to be those top two players, and it really kept us engaged."
 
COVID-19 forced the Shockers to keep a tight circle and that may pay off.
 
"We've bonded together really quickly," sophomore Lauren Mills said. "All of us have been cooped up and we finally get to see people. We're happy to be with each other and playing the game we love."
 
Five things to take away from fall softball
 
The Shockers are hitting – After a slow start, coach Kristi Bredbenner sees the offense powering up. That should not be a surprise – Wichita State hit .326 over 27 games last spring to lead the American Athletic Conference and its 30 home runs ranked second behind Houston.
 
"You can see the trends in the scores," she said. "They're starting to get used to live pitching, making good decisions on pitches, seeing the ball better."
 
Herring, Mills, Tatum Long, Bailey Urban and Madison Perrigan homered in a recent scrimmage, an 11-9 game.
 
"When you face pitchers who know you, and pitching coaches who know you, it definitely adds another level of 'I'm expecting this, but maybe they know I'm expecting this,'" Herring said. "You have to prepare to another level, because they do know you. It makes it harder, but it also makes it more fun."
 
Pitching controlled earlier scrimmages.
 
"The infield's made a few too many errors," Bredbenner said. "We've got to continue to work on that. The outfield's made some nice plays. We're doing a much better job of hitting cuts and doing the little things. Our communication has gotten a lot better over the past couple weeks."
 
Back for more – The abbreviated spring 2020 season didn't go to waste for the youngest Shockers.
 
Since it didn't cost them a season of eligibility, last season's underclassmen can use those 27 games as high-level practice for what can still be a lengthy career.
 
Mills, Urban, Sydney McKinney, Sydney Nichols and others in those freshmen/sophomore classes are making the most of last spring's lessons.
 
"Their experience from last year has really created some more confidence for them," Bredbenner said. "We preach extra work and extra cuts and extra defense. We've got a lot of people buying into that and it's really paying off."
 
Mind games – Mills, a sophomore with 37 starts in 2019 and 2020, ended an earlier scrimmage with a home run. She is one of those Shockers putting in extra time, Bredbenner said. 
 
Twice this fall, Mills led the individual points standings and earned captain status.

"Her confidence level, over the last three, four weeks, has really grown," Bredbenner said. "If she barrels something up . . . it's going to go. That's the biggest thing to get in her brain, is to be in time and get your barrel in the right spot. She's done a really good job of that this fall."
 
Mills is tough on herself and she said she is learning to let go of a bad at-bat and not let it sink the next trip. 
 
"I've got my mind straight," she said. "When you're hitting, you can take it two ways. You can either learn from mistakes or you can dwell on them. If you dwell on them too much, you can get down on yourself."
 
All over the place – The Shockers are trying to COVID-proof their lineup for the spring.  Bredbenner is moving people around so they can grow comfortable playing multiple positions.
 
If COVID hits, she wants a roster versatile enough to cover changes.
 
"Outfield, I haven't played as much in my life, so it's harder to get used to," freshman Addison Barnard said. "But learning it is a good skill. Every position is a different look, but once you get in a groove of those positions, it's an awesome feeling."
 
New faces – Barnard, an infielder most of her career, heads a freshman class that is getting more and more comfortable with college softball.
 
Her hitting ability and versatility stood out early in the fall. Camryn Compton is showing strong defensive skills at first base and outfielder Lauren Lucas is learning to put the ball in play and use her speed at the top of the order.
 
"College softball is so much faster, even in practice everything is very quick," Barnard said. 
 
Compton turned a double play in a recent scrimmage that caught the attention of coaches. 
 
"Bang bang, double play," Bredbenner said. "It was effortless. She has really good instincts, almost to the point where she looks like a veteran out there. She can be a big contributor."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.