The RoundHouse | 2/8/2024 4:23:00 PM

Podcast with associate head coach Economon

By Paul Suellentrop

In early July, CC Wong needed a place to finish college softball. Wichita State needed a left-handed hitter.
 
Wong, transferring from Grand Canyon University, knew about WSU's recent success. WSU associate head coach Elizabeth Economon knew about Wong through a conversation with Chris Berry, Wong's coach at McLennan (Texas) Community College.
 
"I jumped out of bed when I got the text," Wong said. "I didn't think I would get the opportunity to be at a school like this. Really cool."
 
With the Shockers opening the season on Friday in the Bearkat Classic in Huntsville, Texas, Wong is locked in as a top-of-the-order hitter and third baseman. The adjustment to a new school went smoothly after a difficult season at Grand Canyon.
 
"Her personality meshes with our culture," first baseman Caroline Tallent said. "We're just a bunch of weirdos and we like to have fun, but we know when to be serious."
 
The Shockers open 2024 vs. Stephen F. Austin at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Huntsville, Texas in the Bearkat Classic. They also play Sam Houston and UNLV over the weekend. WSU, the preseason favorite in the American Athletic Conference, went 44-12 last season.
 
Wong, from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, earned NJCAA Division I Co-Player of the Year honors in 2022 at McLennan. She hit a nation-leading .580 with 27 home runs and 91 RBI. As a freshman, she hit .481 with 17 home runs and 20 doubles.
 
She started 18 games last spring at Grand Canyon, hitting .290 with five doubles. After one season, she entered the transfer portal. Wichita State offered a fresh start.
 
"They didn't care what my batting percentage was at GCU," she said. "They said 'You're a new person here. Work hard.'"
 
That fresh start helped return a sense of fun to the sport for Wong at practices with coach Kristi Bredbenner and Economon.
 
"Being able to swing the bat and not be afraid – whatever happens, happens," Wong said. "That was something that I kind of lost. Coach B is over there smiling away, like 'You got it.' Coach E is behind you and she's saying, 'You got it.'"
 
Shocker coaches hope to add Wong to the list of transfers who found a home at WSU. In recent seasons, players such as Bailey Lange, Sydney McKinney, Erin McDonald and Zoe Jones played well in a new place.

"When kids transfer here, they excel because they're looking for a place where they can be themselves, but also find a really positive environment where they can grow and develop," Bredbenner said. "She's thriving because she seems very, very happy."
 
Wong's development is important as the Shockers reshape their lineup after the departure of McKinney, an All-American shortstop, Jones and Lauren Mills. Lauren Lucas, starting centerfielder and third-team All-American in 2023, is out with an injury.
 
"She's a wicked athlete," Tallent said. "She can crush the ball, but she can also hit it chalk to chalk. And she's really strong at third."
 
Shocker coaches expect Wong to hit first or second in the order and help centerfielder Addison Barnard put pressure on pitchers immediately.
 
"(Wong's) been an absolute blessing," Bredbenner said. "She barrels the ball up. She's getting on base. She's been a huge find."
 
Wong credits a challenging fall with helping her Shocker career to a strong start. Coaches set the pitching machines at 70 mph to prepare for top NCAA Division I arms. They spent studied video of pitchers from they faced in the fall against teams such as Kansas, Oklahoma State and South Dakota State.
 
The hard-throwing machine tested Wong early in the fall.
 
"As we got comfortable with it and got through it all, it got so much easier," she said. "We prepare a lot for who we're going to face and that helps a lot with the mental part. It showed me I can hit this, I can hit 70 (mph). We do the work and we see the outcomes."
 
Wong lives with Tallent and they bonded over softball and cooking. Wong loves Tallent's cinnamon rolls. Wong makes a delicious sushi bake and served enchilada soup for the team.
 
"She made prime rib the other night," Tallent said. "She makes all kinds of stuff."
 
Wong devotes much of her cooking time to preparing a week's worth of meals in advance to help manage her busy schedule. Sunday night is usually devoted to meal prep. Sushi bake - layers of rice, seafood, seaweed, Kewpie mayo and sriracha – is a favorite.
 
"I feel stress-free when I'm at the grocery store buying things," she said. "It's awesome. I love cooking."
 
A third base, in the batter's box and in the kitchen, Wong's fresh start is off to a good start.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.