WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State head softball coach
Kristi Bredbenner announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent Wednesday afternoon.
Chloe Barber, Avery Barnard, Sophie Johnson, Erica Schertz, Mila Seaton and Sydney Zenon will join the Shocker softball program in the fall of 2023.
"We are excited to coach this group of young ladies when they get on campus in 2023," Bredbenner said. "This class is about speed, athleticism, passion for the game and power pitching. In the recruiting process we must identify student-athletes that will grow within our program into all-conference and all-regional players. This group is athletic, eager to learn and all understand the tradition of success that Shocker Softball has had the last several years."
Chloe Barber | Lino Lakes, Minn. | 5'11" | Pitcher
Chloe Barber was the last piece of the signing class and is one of two pitchers in the group. Out of White Bear Lake Area High School in Minnesota, Barber is coming off a stellar prep season where she logged a 20-5 record in the circle to go with a 1.41 ERA and 295 strikeouts in 164 innings. At the plate, Barber added 14 home runs, 43 RBI and a batting average of .418. She holds school single season and career records in home runs, strikeouts and pitching victories. Barber is a two-time all-conference selection and was named First Team All-State, First Team All-Metro and the East Metro Player of the Year as a junior. She helped lead her team to a conference championship for the first time in 40 years and earned a berth to the state tournament for the first time in 20 years where they placed fourth. She is the daughter of Justin and Sheila Barber, and she has one sister Heidi. She plans to major in business at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Chloe Barber: "Chloe was a late addition to our 2023 class but one that we are very excited about. She is a power pitcher with a nice offspeed pitch, and understands how to spot the ball with natural movement on her pitches. If Chloe can command her pitches and get stronger throughout her time here, I think she will be part of a very solid pitching staff at Wichita State."
Avery Barnard | Beatrice, Neb. | 5'6" | Utility
Another Barnard is set to join the softball program in the way of Avery Barnard, sister to current junior on the team
Addison Barnard. Out of Beatrice High School, Barnard is a four-year starter and three-time captain. Having completed her prep career with a .597 batting average, an OPS of 1.500, OBP of .656 and 17 steals as a senior, she will bring a much-needed element of speed to the program. Barnard is a three-time First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference selection. She helped lead Beatrice to back-to-back conference championships as a junior and senior. A high-level athlete, Barnard was also a star on the basketball and track teams. She earned all-conference and all-state honors on the hardwood, while qualifying for the state meet in track all four years. In the classroom, Barnard has maintained a 4.0 GPA to go with Academic All-State and a Scholastic Achievement Award. She is the daughter of Curt and Deann Barnard. She has three sisters: Addison, Reece and Baylor. Barnard plans to major in health sciences at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Avery Barnard: "Avery Barnard will provide much-needed speed to the lineup. She's not quite as powerful with the bat as her sister Addie, but she more than makes up for that with her speed. Avery is very athletic and will wreak havoc on the bases and cover substantial ground in the outfield."
Sophie Johnson | Odessa, Fla. | 5'6" | Catcher
Coming all the way from the Sunshine State and River Ridge High School, Sophie Johnson is a four-year letterwinner and starter. She is ranked No. 48 in the Extra Inning Softball 2023 Extra Elite 100, and recently completed a season with nine home runs, 34 RBI, 31 runs, 14 doubles and three triples. Her career numbers in high school include a .395 average with 18 home runs, 21 doubles, 80 RBI and 56 runs, while slugging .831. As a sophomore she earned First Team All-State honors and is a two-time First Team All-Conference pick. In the classroom, Johnson has been on the honor roll. She is the daughter of Michael and Petrea Johnson, and she has one sister Claire. She plans to major in forensic sciences at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Sophie Johnson: "Sophie Johnson will be a strong presence behind the plate with her arm strength and ability to make her pitchers look good with her glove. A great catcher can make a huge difference for her battery mate. We think that Sophie will be an impact player as a freshman.
"
Erica Schertz | Miami, Okla. | 5'10" | Pitcher
The second pitcher of the group comes from the Sooner State by way of Fairland High School. Erica Schertz is a four-year letterwinner, four-year varsity starter and four-time captain. In the circle, Schertz racked up 248 strikeouts as a senior to go with a 1.80 ERA and a 25-7 record. Schertz also gave opposing pitchers nightmares at the plate. She hit .522 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI as a senior. Her career numbers are straight out of a video game. Schertz compiled 114 wins in the circle behind a 1.40 ERA and 1,070 strikeouts. Offensively, she hit .467 for her career to go with 35 home runs and 182 RBI. An all-state selection, Schertz was a four-time First Team All-District honoree and was named the District Player of the Year as a junior and senior. She helped lead Fairland to the state tournament three of her four years. She is the daughter of Josh and Rhonda Schertz, and has two brothers, Jackson and Carson; and one sister Kallie. Schertz plans to major in health science at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Erica Schertz: "Erica Schertz is a pitcher with natural movement and great speed. She spins the ball very well and has competed against some top-level travel ball teams. The best thing about Erica is her potential. There are a lot of things that Erica does right, but getting her in the weight room and with Coach (Presley) Bell will allow her to use her great frame and elevate that potential."
Mila Seaton | Tonganoxie, Kan. | 5'10" | Utility
Mila Seaton will stay in her home state of Kansas out of Basehor-Linwood High School. She is a four-year letterwinner and three-time captain of the softball team despite missing her junior season due to injury. She had her best season as a sophomore where she earned All-State Honorable Mention and Second Team All-Conference honors. She provides an element of speed, ranking second on the career charts in steals. A dual-sport star, Seaton also exceled on the volleyball court. She is a two-time First Team All-Conference pick and is the school's all-time kills leader. Seaton is a member of the National Honors Society and is expected to major in exercise science at Wichita State. She is the daughter of Paul and Nichole Seaton, and has two sisters: Sophie and Ava.
Bredbenner on Mila Seaton: "Mila Seaton is one of the most athletic student-athletes we have brought into our program. Mila could have played Division I volleyball, but softball is her true passion. She's a true utility that has a high ceiling."
Sydney Zenon | Haslet, Texas | 5'9" | Infielder
Sydney Zenon will bring her big bat from the Lone Star State and Northwest High School. She is a four-year letterwinner and starter. Zenon completed her most recent season with a .401 average, seven home runs and 45 RBI. She earned First Team All-District honors as a junior and MVP honors, while helping lead her team to a 26-9 record and third round appearance in the state playoffs. Zenon picked up all-district honors in basketball as well. She is a four-time Academic All-District selection and has landed on the honor roll throughout her prep career. She is the daughter of Preston and Kristi Zenon. She has two brothers, Jakob and Wesley, and one sister Mariah. Zenon plans to major in cybersecurity at Wichita State.
Bredbenner on Sydney Zenon: "Sydney Zenon has the potential to be a monster hitter in our lineup. She hits the ball hard and still has a lot of her body to get into the pitch. If we can develop a full body swing, she will be a great replacement for
Lauren Mills in our lineup. Her 5'9" frame makes her a likely candidate for reps at first base."
