The RoundHouse | 12/31/2021 8:45:00 AM

 
 
Powered by Ted Lasso's positive philosophies, chewy sweets and record-setting hitters, Wichita State softball enjoyed its most successful season in 2021.
 
The Shockers won the American Athletic Conference title and the conference tournament. They defeated Texas A&M twice in NCAA regional play and finished the season 41-13-1, a 75.5 percent winning percentage that is the best in program history. The season ended with two losses to No. 1 Oklahoma, but even those seemed to highlight what made the Shocker season special.
 
"The last couple days, it's been humbling to see how much our program got attention-wise and in media coverage," coach Kristi Bredbenner said after the regional. "The coolest thing was seeing how many people really got engaged with our program because of the games. We had grit and fight."
 
The Shockers wore T-shirts that read "Believe" and carried a Ted Lasso (from the Apple TV+ series) cutout to the NCAA regional. Bredbenner tossed Hi-Chew candy to the Shockers as they rounded third after home runs.
 
 

RECAP | Wichita State advances to its second NCAA Regional Final in school history, setting up a rematch with No. 1 Oklahoma.

📰 | https://t.co/3OI3xbFdLH#watchus pic.twitter.com/Nsa7eIQrpO

— Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) May 23, 2021

"We didn't take one pitch for granted," senior catcher Madison Perrigan said. "Just brought everything to the field. After games, we were dead tired because mentally and physically we gave 110 percent. That was just how invested and how special this team was."
 
They won conference titles in a strong season – four of the AAC's seven schools finished in the top 100 of the power rankings. They outlasted USF and UCF, both of which advanced to a regional final. 
 
Nine of Wichita State's 13 losses came against NCAA teams and eight of those losses (and the tie) came against teams in a regional final. The Shockers finished No. 25 in the NCAA's RPI.
 
"I'm so excited for the future of the program," Perrigan said. "These girls would die for Shocker softball. They're so invested."
 
Shortstop Sydney McKinney earned conference Player of the Year and NFCA third-team All-American honors. McKinney, first baseman Neleigh Herring, and right fielder Addison Barnard were named to the All-Central Region Second Team, while pitcher Bailey Lange landed on the third team.
 
Second baseman Kaylee Huecker was named the conference Defensive Player of the Year and Barnard added AAC Rookie of the Year honors to her list.
 
 

Leave it better than you found it.

That, they did.

Thank you, seniors. Thank you, 2021 Shockers.#watchus pic.twitter.com/GViegl2g1D

— Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) May 24, 2021

 The Roundhouse is counting down the 10 most interesting and significant stories of 2021 for Wichita State athletics.
 
 No. 10 - Baseball's new home in downtown Wichita
No. 9 - Setter Kayce Litzau leads Shocker volleyball
No. 8 - Smash Sisters bash their way to NCAA regional
No. 7 - Win over Houston propels Shockers to AAC title, NCAA berth
No. 6 - Shocker baseball pushes toward top of AAC
No. 5 - Seniors lead men's tennis to NCAA Championships
No. 4 - Wichita State distance runners excel in 2021
No. 3 - Isaac Brown earns top basketball job
No. 2 - Shocker basketball continues its March tradition