WICHITA, Kan. - Four student-athletes signed their National Letters of Intent to play softball for head coach
Kristi Bredbenner and the Wichita State Shockers.
Catelyn Beckerley, Brookelyn Livanec, Morgan Lloyd and Ava Sliger will join the softball family in the fall of 2024.
"Development is the foundation of Shocker Softball and these young women have the potential to be a big impact class if they walk in on day one and get to work," Bredbenner said. "They are talented, fast, athletic and hungry to continue the tradition of excellence within the Shocker Softball program."
Catelyn Beckerley | 5-8 | Utility | Cedar Park, Texas | Leander High School
Beckerley, a utility player, is the first of three from the Lone Star State in the signing class. Out of Leander High School, Beckerley is coming off a season where she hit .405 and slugged .538, earning second team all-conference honors. As a sophomore, Beckerley was a first team all-conference selection, helping Leander to a conference championship and a 26-6 record. She's a two-time academic all-conference honoree and four-time letterwinner. She's the daughter of David and Catherine Beckerley and has one sister, Cameryn. She plans to major in health sciences at Wichita State.
Coach Bredbenner on Catelyn Beckerley:
"Catelyn is a utility player that can excel behind the plate or in the outfield. She continues to impress us with her versatility and has a high ceiling to develop throughout her time at Wichita State."
Brookelyn Livanec | 5-7 | Outfielder | Baytown, Texas | Barbers Hill High School
A three-time varsity starter and four-time letterwinner, Livanec will join the Shockers to bolster the outfield position. Livanec earned first team all-district honors as a junior and is a 5A state champion. She's a two-time academic all-district selection, TGCA All-Star and was an all-district honorable mention pick as a sophomore. Livanec is a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the honor roll. She's the daughter of Misti McBride, and has one brother, Jacob Livanec. She plans to major in nursing at Wichita State.
Coach Bredbenner on Brookelyn Livanec:
"Brookelyn brings a feisty lefty bat and natural ability in the outfield to the Shocker softball program. She has enough speed to keep the corners on edge and enough power to split a gap for a triple."
Morgan Lloyd | 5-6 | First Base/Outfield | Houston, Texas | Crosby High School
Out of Crosby High School, Morgan Lloyd is set to add speed to the Shocker lineup. She earned first team all-district honors as a sophomore behind a .395 average, 13 doubles, two triples, 19 RBI, 31 runs and 15 stolen bases. As a junior she increased those numbers to .438, 18 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 37 RBI and 24 stolen bases. Her 18 doubles set a school record for a single season. She was then named to the 2022-23 all-district second team. In the classroom, Lloyd is a three-time academic all-district honoree. She is the daughter of Nick Pate and Jennifer Day. Lloyd is currently undecided on a major at Wichita State.
Coach Bredbenner on Morgan Lloyd:
"Morgan is a natural outfielder that gets great reads on the ball and has a strong, accurate arm. When you combine her strengths in the outfield with her lefty potential at the plate she will be one to watch in the future."
Ava Sliger | 5-9 | Pitcher/First Base | Tupelo, Okla. | Tupelo High School
Sliger is coming off a decorated and prolific career for Tupelo High School. The lone pitcher in the recruiting class struck out nearly 1,000 hitters in her prep career. In 596.1 innings, Sliger had a career ERA of 0.94 with 934 strikeouts and only 58 walks. She registered 43 shutouts and had six no-hitters to her name. She holds the school record for strikeouts and helped lead Tupelo to its first state title in school history. Tupelo went 30-4 on the way to a state title, while racking up a tournament championship, district championship and regional championship. As a senior, Sliger went 27-4 in the circle with a 0.9 ERA, 284 strikeouts to only 19 walks, 14 shutouts and a no-hitter. At the plate, she hit .633 with six home runs and 34 RBI. Sliger earned all-state honors and was named to the South Central All-Star Team. Off the field, Sliger is involved with National Honor Society, Indian Honor Society, Oklahoma Honor Society, STUCO, FFA and was named to the Superintendent's Honor Roll. She is the daughter of Chris and Jessica Sliger, and has one brother, Eli. Sliger plans to major in business at Wichita State.
Coach Bredbenner on Ava Sliger:
"Ava is a true competitor with major upside in the circle. She is built strong and her ability has already created a lot of success for her at the high school and travel ball level. We are looking forward to having Ava everyday to see just how her ability and command mature within our program."
