The RoundHouse | 3/25/2021 6:26:00 PM

 Listen to a podcast with Wichita State assistant coach Elizabeth Economon
 
By Paul Suellentrop
 
Outfielder Bailey Urban read the texts from her club softball coach, telling her about a freshman from Beatrice, Neb., coming to Wichita State.
 
"He was like 'Addie - she's the real deal, just wait until you see her,'" Urban said. "I already had a general idea she was going to come in and make an impact right away."
 
There were plenty of other hints about Wichita State freshman Addison Barnard and her very real deal-ness. Coaches praised her athletic ability during fall practices. She earned the points title from scrimmage hitting performances more than any other freshman. 
 
Everybody saw good things coming. Even with all that, they didn't expect this. Barnard ranks first in the American Athletic Conference with an .870 slugging percentage, second with nine home runs and 25 batted in and third with 20 runs and 11 walks. She is hitting .315 and leads the Shockers with three stolen bases.
 
The Shockers (17-4) open conference play with a four-game series against ECU (9-13) on Friday (5 p.m.) at Wilkins Stadium. 
 
"In the fall, we knew she was a good athlete, knew she was fast, she had a lot of really positive things in her swing," coach Kristi Bredbenner said. "We didn't anticipate her coming in and having the home run power that she had right off the bat."
 
Barnard was one of those with modest expectations. In the fall, she looked at Wichita State's experienced infielders and hoped to help by running the bases. She said it surprised her when coaches told her to be prepared to play in the days leading up to the February opener. 
 
"I knew they had a lot of older people coming back," she said. "I might have to take on a role, whatever is best for the team. I like to run fast, so if I can be a great base-runner for them, that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to work my tail off to get on the field somehow."
 
Even if Barnard didn't see what was coming, her teammates did.
 
"I noticed when I saw her taking BP in the fall," catcher Madison Perrigan said. "Pure power from Addie. Right off the bat, you can tell."
 
Barnard's swing is violent, yet controlled and smooth. Her team-leading 11 walks and six strikeouts demonstrate her knowledge of the strike zone. Bredbenner said an opposing coach told her that Barnard attacks the ball so much differently than most freshmen.
 
"She just seems so confident," Urban said. "She knows her plan and executes it and learns from every at-bat. Every location. She hits a high pitch better than anybody I've ever seen. In and out. Low. She doesn't get cheated."
 
Barnard started the opener at second base, hitting second, and went 2 for 2 with a home run. After six games at second, she gave way to senior Kaylee Huecker's superior's defensive skills and moved to right field. She pitched in high school and described her outfield experience as a few innings for her club team.
 
"It's hard to go from the infield to outfield," Barnard said. "But I was like 'You know what, Kaylee Huecker is the real deal', so I'm going to have to find a way. I see the ball and I run as fast as I can to go get it."
 
Barnard committed to Wichita State as a sophomore after a visit and didn't consider another school. She grew up with a group of six friends in Beatrice who played all the sports, twice finishing second in Class B softball and once in basketball. She earned a silver medal in the triple jump and sprinted for Beatrice High.
 
"We had known each other for a long time and had a great connection," she said. "No matter what sport – if it was our favorite or not – just being together made it better. I just loved doing it."
 
Barnard felt that same atmosphere during her visit to Wichita State. She wanted to find a college close to home and focus on the rest of her high school days.
 
"Kansas is just like Nebraska and it feels like home," she said. "I loved the coaching staff and they were always welcoming."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.