WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State head softball coach
Kristi Bredbenner announced the signing of three transfers to financial aid agreements for the 2025 season.
The Shockers have added graduate transfer Ellee Eck (Stanford) and a pair of juniors in infielder Makayla Navarro (FIU) and utility Jodie Epperson (North Texas).
"We are extremely excited to add Ellee, Makayla and Jodie to the Shocker Softball family," Bredbenner said. "They bring speed, power, athleticism and a desire to compete at the highest level. As soon as they walk on the field this fall they will help create a deeper and more competitive squad that will help us compete for championships in the spring. We can't wait to see them in the black and yellow."
Ellee Eck | OF | Stanford | Andale, Kan.
Ellee Eck is coming home to play her final season of collegiate softball. The former Andale standout played in nearly 150 career games for the Stanford Cardinal, including a pair of appearances in the Women's College World Series. Eck helped the Cardinal to World Series appearances in 2023 and 2024 behind records of 47-15 and 50-17. She collected 25 hits, 41 runs, a double, four triples, 13 RBI and 18 stolen bases over three seasons of playing time at Stanford. Her best season came in 2022 when she played in 52 games and tallied four triples and 12 RBI. She is a four-time Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll selection. She is the daughter of Doug and Kim Eck, and has four sisters and two brothers: Chelsee, Sydnee, Kasidee, Lainee, Levi and Owen. Her sister Sydnee played softball collegiately at Butler Community College and Creighton University, while Kasidee was on the Shocker softball team for one season. Eck's brother, Owen, is a current member of the University of Oklahoma wrestling team. She will be working on a master's of business administration at Wichita State.
Makayla Navarro | INF | Florida International | Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Makayla Navarro will have two years of eligibility remaining after spending her first two seasons at FIU. Navarro entered the starting lineup basically from day one for FIU, appearing in nearly 100 career games with 87 starts under her belt. She's a career .285 hitter with 37 runs, 65 hits, 12 doubles, four triples, one home run, 25 RBI and 26 stolen bases. As a true freshman, Navarro started 46 of 49 games, while hitting .281 with six doubles, two triples, 11 RBI and a career-high 18 stolen bases. She's coming off a sophomore campaign where she logged 41 starts, 17 runs, 31 hits, six doubles, two triples, a home run and 14 RBI. In the classroom, Navarro has been named to the Dean's List and Commissioner's Honor Roll every semester. She is the daughter of Moises Navarro and Irizabell Rivera, and she has one sister (Siarra) and one brother (Raphael).
Jodie Epperson | UTL | North Texas | Crandall, Texas
Jodie Epperson brings two years of experience from North Texas to the Shocker softball program. She primarily played in the outfield for the Mean Green in 2024, making 21 starts. In limited playing time, Epperson finished with 10 runs, 17 hits, three doubles and seven RBIs. Her career totals include: 72 games, .235 batting average, 19 runs, 36 hits, 11 doubles and 15 RBIs. She is the daughter of Paul and Windy Epperson, and she has one sister, Kodie. Epperson plans to major in general studies at Wichita State.
