The RoundHouse | 5/8/2024 10:35:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Addison Barnard blasted another home run and two members of the grounds crew sprinted from the bullpen in right field and around the fence to retrieve the softball.
 
It was a trophy case night for Barnard, who hit three home runs in Wichita State's 13-0 win over UTSA in five innings in the first round of the American Athletic Conference Championship at Wilkins Stadium.
 
"She's locked in," coach Kristi Bredbenner said. "She hit the ball, I mean, hard. That last home run she hit; I would love to know the exit velocity."
 
The fourth-seeded Shockers (26-21) defeated ninth-seeded UTSA (15-41) for the fourth straight time this season, all by run-rule in five innings. WSU plays fifth-seeded Tulsa (30-22) at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the second round. The winner of that game advances to play top-seeded FAU at 2:30 p.m. Friday in a semifinal.
 
Barnard, a senior center fielder, went 4 for 4 (also doubling) to drive in five runs and score four. The Roadrunners, who went through three pitchers, declined to pitch around her and Barnard didn't miss.
 
In the first inning, CC Wong walked and Barnard homered to center on a 1-1 pitch. Wong walked in the second and Barnard homered to left center to complete an 11-pitch at-bat in which she fouled off five two-strike pitches. She doubled in the third, moving Wong to third after a walk.
 
"My first at-bat, I felt really good in the box, really comfortable, really relaxed," Barnard said. "I kept getting pitches that I could hit pretty hard."
 
In the fourth, she homered on the first pitch with the bases empty, smashing a line drive over the fence in center.
 
"The whole time, I had a good feeling," she said. "I just kept fouling it off, fouling it off. I was like 'Surely, she's going to throw it out of the zone.' She kept the pounding the zone."
 
The grounds crew chased down Barnard's second and third homers, No. 89 and No. 90 for her career, and saved them for her in the press box. Barnard said she her dad kept all 60-some home run balls from her high school days in Beatrice, Neb. Her college collection is much smaller.
 
 

"The legend swells..."

Bow down to the Baddest of them all.@addieb30 | #AdvantageUs pic.twitter.com/IFQsBxNkIq

— Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) May 9, 2024

"I don't really keep them, usually," she said. "I think I have a few."
 
Wednesday's trophies are worth savoring. Not only did they help get the Shockers started in a must-win game, but the homers also moved her into a tie for eighth on the NCAA career list and extended her WSU and AAC records. She is the first AAC hitter with three in a tournament game and her 14 total bases is also a tournament record.
 
For her final at-bat, the crowd in right field chanted "Addie B" and "MVP."
 
"Completely different feel," she said. "When we got going, our fans came alive. I think a good term to use would be electric."
 
The crowd of 678 enjoyed the tournament opener, WSU's first hosting duty as an AAC member.
 
"We're on the right track," Bredbenner said. "The fans were great. They made a difference."
 
Pitcher Alison Cooper provided all the highlights on defense. She pitched 3 1/3 innings, striking out three, and allowing one hit in relief of starter Lauren Howell. Cooper entered with bases loaded and struck out Jaylen Prichard with a 2-2 changeup.
 
"I love my changeup," Cooper said. "I'm very confident in it and I know a lot of batters don't really like it. They're looking for anything to make contact and that change of speed really throws them off."
 
WSU's Taylor Sedlacek hit a three-run homer and Lainee Brown went 3 for 3 with a double to drive in three runs. The Shockers totaled 10 hits, seven for extra bases.
 
With one win in the books, the Shockers need three more to win the tournament and secure an NCAA at-large bid. Their path gets tougher with Tulsa and, potentially, FAU. WSU dropped the season series to both at Wilkins Stadium.
 
 

Baddie is LOCKED in.

Her 3rd season with 20+ home runs. We're not worthy 🙌@addieb30 | #AdvantageUs pic.twitter.com/3Kd2QIKCgY

— Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) May 9, 2024

 
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.