WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State softball has named its new pitching coach, and it's a familiar name –
Presley Bell.
Bell recently completed her master's degree at Wichita State and served as a graduate manager/graduate assistant for the Shockers the past two seasons. Additionally, head coach
Kristi Bredbenner announced that assistant coach
Elizabeth Economon has been promoted to associate head coach.
This past season Bell took on a larger role after the previous pitching coach resigned before the start of the 2021 season. Just two years removed from her playing days at the University of Houston, Bell was a key figure in helping the Shocker pitching staff have an outstanding season in the circle.
"I am excited to announce that
Presley Bell has accepted our pitching coach position," Bredbenner said. "After spending two years as our graduate manager and stepping into a graduate assistant position this past semester, Presley has the passion for softball that we are looking for in this role. Her experience in the circle with the University of Houston gives our pitchers someone that can relate to how competitive the American Athletic Conference is."
Under Bell's guidance, redshirt senior
Bailey Lange had a stellar campaign, going 22-8 and earning all-conference honors.
Wichita State pitchers tallied seven shutouts this past season, while holding opposing batters to just a .239 average.
"Presley's energy, work ethic, and loyalty made this an easy decision and smooth transition for the staff and players," Bredbenner said.
Bell's leadership with the pitchers is a big reason why Wichita State enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history, going 41-13-1 and its second NCAA Regional Final appearance in the Norman Regional.
At Houston, Bell was an American Athletic Conference Second Team selection during her senior campaign after posting a 13-4 record in the circle. The Liberty, Texas, native threw 115.1 innings to go with a 1.52 ERA. Her ERA ranked 25th nationally and second in The American.
She appeared in 86 career games for the Cougars during her four-year career and was also a four-time All-Academic Team member and two-time NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete.
Coach Economon recently completed her fourth season as an assistant coach, working primarily with the hitters. Under Economon's guidance, Wichita State put together one of the best hitting seasons in school history, if not the best. The Shockers set single season records for home runs, total bases, runs scored, RBI and slugging percentage. Prior to the 2021 season the single season school record for home runs was 59. The 2021 team hit 103, which ranked second nationally.
Several players set individual single season marks and career highs at the plate. American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Third Team All-American
Sydney McKinney broke the school record for hits and batting average in a single season, while American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year
Addison Barnard broke the program record for home runs (22) and RBI (61).
Since Economon joined Bredbenner's staff in 2018, Wichita State has been the best hitting team in the American Athletic Conference.
"Coach Economon has done a tremendous job as an assistant coach since she arrived on campus," Bredbenner said. "Her knowledge of the game, passion, loyalty and personality give her all the qualities of a fantastic head coach. I am fortunate to work with her every day and believe she is deserving of this title change."
Prior to Wichita State, Economon was the head coach at Pittsburg State from 2012-17.
