WICHITA, Kan. - Preseason honors continue to roll in for Wichita State softball, as Addison Barnard and Sydney McKinney have been named Preseason Third Team All-Americans by Softball America, it was announced Monday morning.

The duo becomes the first pair of Shockers to earn preseason All-American honors in school history. Both players have been included on a pair of Top 100 College Player Rankings by Extra Inning Softball and Softball America also this winter. McKinney is also on the USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List.

McKinney is coming off a record-breaking sophomore campaign for Wichita State. McKinney ranked third nationally with 87 hits and was also top 25 in batting average (.439) and toughest to strike out. In 198 at bats, McKinney struck out just four times all season. Her 87 hits and .439 average both shattered the Wichita State single season record. McKinney also added seven home runs, 10 doubles, two triples, 14 stolen bases, 31 RBI and 56 runs scored.

The Norborne, Mo. native had a stellar sophomore campaign, earning NFCA Third Team All-American honors, making her the first All-American in program history. The American Athletic Conference tabbed her Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference.

All Barnard did in her debut season was smash the Wichita State single season home run and RBI record with 22 home runs and 61 RBI. Her 22 homers ranked sixth and 61 RBI ranked fifth nationally a season ago. She finished the season hitting .323 with a slugging percentage of .768. She started the 2021 season at second base, but transitioned to the outfield and ended up starting 52 of the team's 55 games.

Entering the 2022 season, Barnard is already on the brink of entering the top 10 on the career home run list at Wichita State, needing just two more round-trippers.

Wichita State opens the 2022 campaign this weekend at the Bearkat Classic in Hunstville, Texas. The Shockers play five games in three days, beginning Friday at 2:30 pm vs. Dayton.