The RoundHouse | 4/1/2023 5:55:00 PM
By Paul Suellentrop
Alex Aguilar signed autographs for around 30 youngsters – and a few adults – who lined up near right field with posters, softballs and even a white cowboy hat for the Shockers to personalize.
It was the perfect ending to a sunny day for Aguilar, a freshman pitcher who held USF to four hits in a 14-0 five-inning run-rule victory on Saturday at Wilkins Stadium. Aguilar remembered signing a few autographs before Saturday, but not in that amount or big-game setting.
"Actually, it was kind of one of my dreams," she said. "It was surreal. I've never done that anywhere."
While it's early to pay too much attention to the American Athletic Conference standings, Aguilar and another scoring outburst put No. 23 Wichita State (29-7, 4-1 American) in a good spot two weekends in with the finale against USF at noon Sunday (ESPN+).
Saturday's win clinched a series victory over the Bulls (22-17, 3-2). The Shockers own series wins over UCF, picked first in the preseason coaches poll, and USF, picked third behind Wichita State. That trio of teams combined to win the past four AAC regular-season titles and played in NCAA regionals the past two seasons. This season, both UCF and USF are ranked in the top 50 of the NCAA's RPI, with the Shockers No. 24.
Aguilar, from Midland, Texas, is the kind of freshman coach
Kristi Bredbenner can trust against that caliber of competition. She keeps her composure, throws strikes and lets the defense do its job.
"Every time she pitches, she's very calm and relaxed," catcher
Lainee Brown said. "Whether it's going her way or not, she's very calm."
Aguilar considers her demeanor in the circle a crucial part of her success. She doesn't want her teammates or the opposition to see her flustered.
"If I'm calm in the circle, then everybody is calm and everybody has confidence," she said.
Aguilar struck out two and didn't walk a batter to record her fourth complete-game shutout. One runner advanced to third base. She used her changeup effectively and kept the Bulls from getting good swings by varying location with her rise ball.
"She had great command," Bredbenner said. "She really peppered the zone. Trust the defense."
Wichita State's defense helped spoil USF's best opportunities.
In the third inning, Jordyn Kadlub doubled with one out. A groundball and a nifty sliding catch by left fielder
Addison Barnard ended that threat with the Shockers up 4-0.
In the fourth, USF's Marissa Trivelpiece doubled with one out. Right fielder
Taylor Sedlacek took the steam out of that inning by fielding a soft liner on one hop by Camille Ortiz and throwing her out at first base. A pop fly on the infield ended that inning with a runner at third.
"I really can't thank my defense enough," Aguilar said. "My defense works really hard for me, and it makes me want to work extra hard for them. To know that they have trust in me, it makes me better."
Shocker hitters enjoyed another big day against a USF pitching staff caught short-handed by injuries.
Wichita State, after winning 8-3 on Friday, pounded out 11 hits. Shortstop
Sydney McKinney hit her first grand slam to cap a 3-for-4 day. Barnard homered.
Lauren Lucas drove in five runs, clearing the bases with a triple in the fourth that started a 10-run inning. Brown doubled and drove in two runs.
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
