Softball | 5/1/2026 9:41:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Neither Ausha Moore nor Kinzey Woody are thrilled by the scenario that increasingly plays out on the softball field.
 
Pitchers refuse to throw pitches in the strike zone to Moore, hitting second in the Wichita State lineup. The opposition often prefers to face Woody, a freshman hitting third.
 
It's a compliment to Moore, but it's not much fun to watch four pitches sail wide of the strike zone.
 
"At the beginning of the year, it was really frustrating for me," Moore said. "Now I'm happy to walk. If you don't want to pitch to me, good luck."
 
Woody is annoyed by the choice, as most hitters would be.
 
"Kind of irritating," she said. "It also gives me an opportunity to step up for our team."
 
That scenario played out in one of the key moments of Wichita State's 8-2 win over Memphis on Thursday at Wilkins Stadium. Moore walked on four pitches to load the bases in the sixth inning. Woody hit her third grand slam of the season two pitches later to turn a two-run game into certain victory.
 
Moore walked twice to set WSU's season record with 45. Over the past 13 games, that hands the opportunity to Woody, who leads the American Conference in conference-only batting average (.468), slugging percentage (1.013), hits (37) and RBI (36). She is tied with Moore with 12 home runs.
 
"It's pick your poison," said Moore, who points out the danger in the Shocker lineup extends beyond Woody.
 
 

She's done it again.

WOODY'S THIRD GRAND SLAM OF THE SEASON!@WoodyKinzey https://t.co/toE1vAGD8U pic.twitter.com/IMcZDxByru

— Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) May 1, 2026

Moore, as her walk totals scream, is just as threatening with a .901 slugging percentage, 12 homers and 31 RBI in 25 conference games. For the season, she leads the conference in slugging percentage (.850), on-base percentage (.554), walks (45) and home runs (20).
 
The win keeps Wichita State (33-16, 19-6) tied with USF for first place in the American Conference with two games to play. The Bulls defeated North Texas 5-4 by scoring the winning run on a throwing error in the bottom of the seventh inning. USF trailed 4-1 entering the sixth inning.
 
WSU and USF have clinched the top two spots in the American Championship, granting them a spot in the semifinals May 8. USF holds the tiebreaker for the top seed over the Shockers.
 
The Moore-Woody dilemma and WSU's ability down the lineup to make pitchers pay for their choice influenced much of Thursday's game.
 
In the fourth, the Tigers (18-36, 6-19) walked Moore on five pitches with no runners on base and one out. Woody flied out. Johnna Schroeder drove in Moore and Trinity Allen with a double for a 2-0 lead.
 
In the fourth, the Tigers faced Moore with the bases loaded and one out. She singled on the first pitch to drive in two runs and extend the lead to 4-0.
 
"We love to see Ausha swing the bat, and she did her job and swung the bat early in the game," coach Kristi Bredbenner said.
 
Memphis cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the sixth on a home run by Taylor Caton. With two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the inning, Moore walked to load the bases. Woody, who grounded into a double play with two runners on in the fourth, was determined not to get herself out this at-bat.
 
"I'm not trying to chase anything like I had done my previous at-bat," Woody said. "I knew they were probably going to go back outside, because I had gotten out on that before. Just trying to drive the ball to right field hard."
 
She did exactly that, hammering an 0-1 pitch to right field with a swing so convincing Moore celebrated as the softball passed over the infield.
 
"The bottom line is, (Woody) is getting better," Bredbenner said. "Her at-bats, and her defense, they're much more mature than a freshman. She goes with the pitch. She has a plan. She buys into the plan. The kids that buy into the plan and can stick with it are the ones having the highest level of success."
 
Woody also checked in with two highlight plays at third. In the second inning, she started a double play by hustling to grab a bunt and making a strong throw to second. In the top of the sixth with the bases loaded and two outs, she protected a 4-2 lead by snagging a well-struck groundball with a backhand and throwing from her knees to get the out at first.
 
"She hit that ball pretty hard," Woody said. "I definitely did not have time to get up and go to third. My only chance was to throw it from my knees."
 
The series resumes at 6 p.m., Friday. Wichita State doesn't need to scoreboard watch to claim a share of its first conference title since 2023. The Shockers need two more wins to assure that, all while hoping for help from North Texas.
 
 

OMG WOODY 🤯

From her knees to get us out of the inning!@WoodyKinzey | @American_Conf | ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/vVd0gONRdM

— Wichita State Softball (@GoShockersSB) May 1, 2026

 
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
 
Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.