Elizabeth Economon is entering her eighth season on staff as the hitting coach and fourth as associate head coach for the Shocker softball program.
Under Economon’s guidance, the Shockers have consistently fielded one of the best hitting programs, not only in the American Athletic Conference, but in the country. After overseeing a 2021 team that set new single season records for home runs, slugging percentage, total bases, runs and RBI, Wichita State exceeded those numbers in 2022 and 2023.
In 2021, Wichita State ranked in the top 15 nationally in home runs, home runs per game, slugging percentage, on base percentage, scoring and walks. In 2022, the Shockers' explosive offensive checked in at No. 2 nationally in home runs, home runs per game, slugging percentage, scoring and on base percentage. Their .348 team batting average was third-best in the nation.
Economon has helped Wichita State to back-to-back-to-back American Athletic Conference Player of the Year selections in Sydney McKinney (2021), Addison Barnard (2022) and McKinney again in 2023. McKinney became the first three-time All-American in school history after another record-breaking campaign in 2022 and 2023. McKinney finished the season No. 1 nationally in hits (97) and batting average (.522), becoming the first Shocker to lead the country in either of those areas. She ran it back for an encore in 2023, becoming the first player in Division I history to lead the nation in hits and batting average in consecutive seasons. McKinney racked up 103 hits and a .520 batting average in 2023.
Economon was recognized as the 2022 Assistant Coach of the Year by ExtraInning Softball.
In Economon’s first season with the program as the hitting coach, the Shocker squad dominated every batting category during American Athletic Conference play by leading the league in batting average, slugging percentage, RBI’s, doubles, home runs and total bases. She helped coach 2018 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year Mackenzie Wright who individually led The American in batting average during league play.
Economon helped lead the Shockers to their second NCAA Regional appearance and to the first Regional Championship game in school history. Under her coaching the 2018 Shocker squad hit 59 home runs, the most in a single season in softball history.
After serving as the Head Coach for the Pittsburg State softball program from 2012-17, Economon led the Gorillas to a 42-19 record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Central Regional in her final year. It was the first National Tournament appearance for the Gorillas since 1995.
She led the Gorillas to a 204-131 overall record in her six-year tenure and under her leadership the Gorillas won more than 28 games each season.
Four players earned All-America honors while 37 earned all-conference honors and 12 were named all-region during her tenure.
Economon began her coaching career as an assistant coach for Truman, her alma mater in Kirksville, Mo., from 2005-06. From there she spend time at New Mexico in 2006 and served as the volunteer assistant coach for the Lobos under Ty Singleton.
Following her time as a volunteer assistant, Economon took on head coaching duties at V. Sue Cleveland High School, a 5A school with over 1,500 students in Rio Rancho, N.M. In addition to her duties as head coach and physical education teacher, Economon established a club team out of Rio Rancho.
A native of St. Louis, Economon got a chance to return to the Midwest in 2010 when she was hired as an assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Economon specialized in hitting and defensive instruction on the field and was primarily responsible for practice planning, monitoring student-athletes academic progress and coordinating the Redhawks camps. She also taught classes in the exercise science department.
Economon played for Truman from 2001-04 and earned All-America honors at shortstop three seasons and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2002 and 2003.
Elizabeth earned her bachelor’s degree in 2004 in exercise science from Truman and earned a master’s degree in 2007 in HHPR from Emporia State.
She and her wife Chelsea have two boys: Aidan and Asher.
