Loaded with talent and experience, Wichita State softball has championship aspirations

Loaded with experience at every position, the Wichita State softball team has expectations of contending for an American Athletic Conference championship and reaching its fifth NCAA Regional.

After a slow start (and a rained-out conference tournament) doomed the Shockers last season, the 16 returners are motivated to not let that happen again this season. WSU, picked to finish second in the AAC by coaches this season, will play six games in four days to open the season this week at the Texas Classic, beginning with Maryland and Texas on Thursday afternoon. WSU does not play a game at Wilkins Stadium until March 20.

“Our goal is to not put ourselves in the same situation we were in last year where we didn’t take care of business early and then we encountered something that was out of our control,” WSU coach Kristi Bredbenner said. “It’s about starting the season off right and beating the teams we’re supposed to beat, and upsetting a few teams that we’re picked to lose to. I definitely like this group and they don’t want to ever have that feeling of last year be back in this program.”

WSU figures to be strong in just about every area this season, but what stands out to Bredbenner is the talent and depth at pitching. That coincides with the return of senior ace Bailey Lange, the team’s workhorse (20-13 record, 2.90 ERA, 184 strikeouts) in 2018 who missed all but eight games last season because of a leg injury.

But Bredbenner doesn’t think Lange will have to be the workhorse anymore with one of the deepest staffs she’s had since she arrived at WSU. In Lange’s absence last season, juniors Erin McDonald (15-12, 2.90 ERA) and Caitlin Bingham (13-9, 3.60 ERA) both logged heavy innings. Throw in Hailey Martinez and McKenzie Webber as options and Bredbenner feels comfortable enough to redshirt standout freshman Kiersten Nixon.

“You had a negative last year with Bailey missing the year, but then you have the positive of her coming back and having that year of experience just watching from the dugout,” Bredbenner said. “Our goal is to keep Bailey fresh. We don’t want to rely on her too much early. We want her to feel just as good in February as she does in May.”

WSU has plenty of punch returning on offense with big hitters like senior Madison Perrigan (.331 average, 11 home runs, 43 RBIs), senior Ryleigh Buck (.298 average, nine home runs, 36 RBIs), junior Neleigh Herring (.280 average, six home runs) and junior Bailee Nickerson (.269 average, six home runs). Throw in a table-setter like sophomore Sydney McKinney (.329 average) and the Shockers’ offense should be potent.

But Bredbenner is most excited about the team’s infield defense with Perrigan (catcher), Herring (first base), McKinney (second base), Kaylee Huecker (shortstop) and Buck (third base).

“I’d put those guys up against anybody in the American,” Bredbenner said. “We have good arms everywhere, good chemistry. I’m really excited to see Kaylee move over to shortstop and fill some big shoes. I’m really excited about the infield and I think they have the potential to make some big plays and help our pitchers out.”

Nickerson and Wylie Glover both return to the corner outfield positions, leaving an opening in center field. Bredbenner said she expects to rotate between sophomore Adi Reese and freshmen Lauren Johnson and Bailey Urban, saying that WSU plans to limit Lange’s time in the outfield this season in an effort to keep her fresh on the mound.

It’s a veteran group that has expectations to return to the postseason.

“I’m happy with just about everything across the board right now,” Bredbenner said. “We look strong defensively. We’ve got great depth with our pitching staff. I like the way we look up at the plate swinging the bat. And most importantly, our team chemistry is great. Everybody is on the same page. If we continue to play like we’ve been practicing, then we’ll have a good chance at having success.”

WSU softball roster

WSU softball schedule

February

6—Maryland*, 1; at Texas*, 3:30; 7—Lamar*, 11:30 a.m.; Texas A&M-Corpus Christi*, 2; 8—at Texas*, 4:30; 9—Colorado State*, 10 a.m.; 14—Saint Louis^, 12; Texas-San Antonio^, 2:30; 15—at Texas State^, 2:30; Texas-San Antonio^, 7:15; 16—at Texas State^, 12; 21—Louisville#, 1:30; at Alabama#, 4; 22—Louisville#, 11 a.m.; Penn State#, 6; 23—Penn State#, 11 a.m.; 29—at Missouri%, 9 a.m.; Nebraska%, 2.

* = Texas Classic in Austin, Texas; ^ = Bobcat Classic in San Marcos, Texas; # = Easton Bama Bash in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; % = Mizzou Tournament in Columbia, Mo.

March

1—Nebraska%, 12:30; at Missouri%, 3; 4—at Oklahoma, 6; 6—Missouri-Kansas City&, 1:30; at Kansas&, 4; 7—Missouri-Kansas City&, 11 a.m.; Drake&, 6:30; 8—at Kansas&, 1:30; 11—at Oklahoma State, 6; 13—Columbia$, 9:30 a.m.; Western Illinois$, 2:30; 14—SIU-Edwardsville$, 9:30 a.m.; Columbia$, 2:30; 20—Central Florida, 6; 21—Central Florida, 3; 22—Central Florida, 12; 25—Arkansas, 6; 27—at Houston, 6; 28—at Houston, 2; 29—at Houston, 12.

% = Mizzou Tournament in Columbia, Mo.; & = Rock Chalk Challenge in Lawrence, Kan.; $ = Cowgirl Invitational in Stillwater, Okla.

April

1—Oklahoma State, 6; 3—at South Florida, 6; 4—at South Florida, 1; 5—at South Florida, 11 a.m.; 9—Tulsa, 6; 10—Tulsa, 6; 11—Tulsa, 12; 14—Oklahoma, 6; 17—at Connecticut, 4; 18—at Connecticut, 1; 19—at Connecticut, 12; 22—at Missouri State, 4; 24—Memphis, 6; 25—Memphis, 3; 26—Memphis, 12.

May

1—at East Carolina, 6; 2—at East Carolina, 2; 3—at East Carolina, 12; 7-9—American Athletic Conference tournament in Orlando, Fla.

Taylor Eldridge

The Wichita Eagle

316-268-6270

Wichita State athletics beat reporter. Bringing you closer to the Shockers you love and inside the sports you love to watch.