The RoundHouse | 3/21/2026 7:53:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Piecing together a big inning vs. an All-American pitcher and the 2025 NCAA saves leader is a tough chore. It is even tougher when they are back to back, with different spins, locations and a 6-mph contrast.
 
It's hard to bunch runners against FAU's duo of starter Autumn Courtney, last season's American Conference Pitcher of the Year. Closer Ainsley Lambert owns six saves after piling up 11 last spring. Last season, they pitched the bulk of the innings in a three-game sweep in which they held the Shockers to two runs.
 
Wichita State did it another way on Friday to defeat FAU 3-2 at Wilkins Stadium and win its sixth straight game. Kinzey Woody, Gabby Scott and Trinity Allen homered. Coach Kristi Bredbenner sees those solo shots – Allen's won it in the seventh inning – as evidence the Shockers are focused on the scouting report and prep work.
 
"They're sticking to their plan," Bredbenner said. "It's been a true buy-in, in my opinion, to make sure that we stick to the plan. You have to tip your hat to our kids. They got the pitch that they needed."
 
WSU's Ryley Nihart held the Owls to seven hits and worked around five walks and two hit batters. Scott, playing catcher, helped by throwing out a runner at second base in the first inning. Woody, at third, turned a double play to end the fourth.
 
The Shockers (16-10, 5-2) needed a new plan after losing two of three, both by shutout, at ECU to open American Conference play. They started their rebound at No. 15 Oklahoma State, a game suspended by weather with WSU ahead 8-3 in the seventh inning. A sweep of UAB and two wins over South Dakota State followed.  
 
"I honestly think we decided we weren't going to lose anymore," Scott said. I'm so glad we're on the same page right now. We were way better than what we did at ECU."
 
 

AND TO ALL(EN) A GOODNIGHT https://t.co/AkHH6UMD0e pic.twitter.com/2fX1T4KwfH

— Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) March 21, 2026

 
 
This series vs. FAU (20-10, 3-4) is another opportunity to prove that. The Owls were the American's preseason favorite after winning the 2025 regular-season title and sharing it in 2024 with Charlotte.
 
Woody's home run – her third in the past six games – gave WSU a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Scott tied it 2-all in the sixth with her home run, also her third in the past six game (plus one at Oklahoma State not yet in the stat book).
 
Allen faced Lambert for the first time with two outs in the seventh inning, after a double play erased Chloe Rhine's leadoff single. Lambert throws slower than Courtney, with more spin, and keeping the ball on the outside of the plate. Allen took the first pitch. She turned on the second one, over the plate and at her belt, to hammer it down the left field line.
 
"The second pitch was about the same, same pitch, same spot," Allen said. "I was just on time. Got my barrel on the ball."
 
The week of prep work with video and pitching machines with hitting coach Elizabeth Economon helped Allen face Lambert for the first time.
 
"She works really hard with all the hitters," Allen said. "We set up machines that resemble the pitchers we're going to face. We go day by day, focusing on one or two pitchers at a time. It's really beneficial for me."
 
Bredbenner is unconcerned about the win streak. What she likes is the shift in focus.
 
"We don't talk about streaks," she said. "We're just playing better softball. Consistently better since the ECU series. They're believing. They've got way more confidence."
 
Nihart faced her biggest challenge in the sixth after giving up a two-out triple that put FAU up 2-1. With a runner on third, she struck out leadoff hitter Kylie Hammonds on three pitches.
 
"I really try to stay level throughout the game," Nihart said. "It's the same thing – I've got to go get this better, just like if there was nobody on base."
 
The teams resume the series at 4 p.m., today (Saturday) before finishing at noon Sunday.
 
 

WOODY OMG 🤯@WoodyKinzey turns the inning-ending DP at the hot corner 🔥@American_Conf | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/6xWjAKEfMe

— Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) March 21, 2026

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