SB: 2023 in season news

[SubGod22]

AOL - Why Athletes Unlimited made WSU's Sydney McKinney the No. 1 pick for pro softball league

After McKinney’s collegiate career concludes, she will compete in the AUX Softball league in Rosemont, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, from June 12-27. The league features 42 players who will be drafted each week to three different teams that play each other.

A championship season, which consists of 60 players on four different teams, will follow in Rosemont at Parkway Bank Sports Complex about a month later, spanning from July 28-Aug. 27. According to a press release by Athletes Unlimited, all games will be available to watch or stream on ESPN platforms this summer.

McKinney was the first of 14 players drafted by Athletes Unlimited on Monday. Other selections included UCLA pitcher Megan Faraimo, Kentucky catcher Kayla Kowalik, Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts, Florida State pitcher Kathryn Sandercock, Washington infielder Baylee Klingler, Arkansas pitcher Chenise Delce, Oklahoma State infielder Kiley Naomi, Oklahoma pitcher Alex Storako, Arizona State outfielder Yannira Acuna, Florida infielder Charia Echols, Oklahoma infielder Haley Lee, Northwestern catcher Jordyn Rudd and Oklahoma State infielder Rachel Becker.

[flyingMoose]

Games through 7 May

NFCA Rankings: 20 (from 18)

ESPN.com/USA Softball Rankings: 20 (from 19)


RPI: 20 for the Shockers, 41 for UCF

[1972Shocker]

AOL - Why Athletes Unlimited made WSU's Sydney McKinney the No. 1 pick for pro softball league

I think it's cool that Sydney was selected by a committee of professional softball players (essentially her peers).

The Athletes Unlimited softball player executive committee includes former collegiate stars and current pro players in Amanda Lorenz (Florida), Sis Bates (Washington), Tori Vidales (Texas A&M), Andrea Filler (Northwestern) and Sam Fischer (Loyola Marymount).

“Seeing a mid-major kid take over the country and become a household name, it shows the growth of the sport and it shows what Sydney McKinney is capable of as a player,” Fischer said. “She’s a pesky hitter. You can’t get her out, you really can’t. And she’s an incredible defender. She plays great on both sides of the ball and I think that’s something that makes her so special and something that has grabbed the attention of everyone in the softball world.”

“She is such an incredible defender,” said Bates, who was the NCAA Defensive Player of the Year during her career. “She has quick hands, quick feet and I’m really excited to grow and learn from her this season.”

We may have to give Syd the Kid a another nickname. Sydney "Not Just a Hitter" McKinney.

[Stickboy46]

I think it's cool that Sydney was selected by a committee of professional softball players (essentially her peers).

The Athletes Unlimited softball player executive committee includes former collegiate stars and current pro players in Amanda Lorenz (Florida), Sis Bates (Washington), Tori Vidales (Texas A&M), Andrea Filler (Northwestern) and Sam Fischer (Loyola Marymount).





We may have to give Syd the Kid a another nickname. Sydney "Not Just a Hitter" McKinney.

My favorite nickname for her that I saw floated on twitter is Sydney McHitty ...

[ShockerDropOut]

I think Syd is an even better defender than hitter. Think about that for a second.

[SubGod22]

[SubGod22]

[SubGod22]

[SubGod22]

Go Shockers - McKinney Headlines Conference Regular Season Awards

TAMPA – For the second time in her career, Sydney McKinney has been tabbed the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, it was announced Wednesday morning as part of the regular season awards.

The American Athletic Conference regular season champions, Wichita State (43-9, 16-2) brings home Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year Sami Hood, Rookie of the Year Alex Aguilar and Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2023.

McKinney is the third straight Shocker to take home the league's top honor and first player in conference history to win it multiple times. She finishes her career as a four-time First Team All-Conference selection – a first in school history.

Wichita State placed four on the All-Conference First Team with McKinney (unanimous), Zoe Jones, Addison Barnard and Lauren Lucas; and four more on the All-Conference Second Team with Aguilar, Lauren Howell, Lainee Brown and Hood.

In conference games only, McKinney led the American in batting average (.477), hits (31) and runs scored (30). For the season she is tops in the country in batting average (.527) and hits (97) and a top 10 finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

Just a freshman, Hood becomes the second Shocker to earn American Defensive Player of the Year honors. A day one starter at second base, Hood has committed just five errors in 52 games.

Aguilar, a unanimous pick for Rookie of the Year and the All-Rookie Team, joins teammate Barnard as the second Shocker to win American Rookie of the Year honors. Aguilar was a perfect 8-0 in league play with a 1.54 ERA in 50.0 innings. She tossed three complete game shutouts and posted a strikeout-walk ratio of 25-7.

Head Coach Kristi Bredbenner, associate head coach Elizabeth Economon and assistant coach Presley Bell were voted Coaching Staff of the Year unanimously. The trio also won the award in 2021. Behind the leadership of the staff, Wichita State has put together one of the best seasons in school history.

Barnard adds her third straight First Team All-Conference selection after an impressive stretch in 18 league games. Eight of her 14 home runs came in conference play, while hitting .429 with seven doubles and 27 runs scored.

After picking up second team honors last season, Jones finds herself on the first team as a senior. Her 13 home runs and 53 RBI are second on the team and in the American. The Texas Tech transfer has enjoyed back-to-back breakout seasons since joining the Shockers a season ago.

Lucas drove in 22 runs in conference play behind three triples and two home runs. For the season, Lucas ranks Top 10 nationally in RBI with 58 and triples with seven. Her .393 batting average and 15 doubles are also career highs. This is her second straight first team honor.

Another Power 5 transfer that has shined at Wichita State is Howell. The Arkansas transfer has reinvented herself in 2023 behind a team-best 18-3 record in 122.0 innings. She has a 2.35 ERA behind 10 complete games and 81 strikeouts.

The battery mate for Aguilar and Howell is Brown at catcher. Brown has started every game this season behind the plate and set career highs in batting average (.271), home runs (6) and RBI (21).

Freshman Taylor Sedlacek rounds out the award haul on the All-Rookie Team with Aguilar and Hood. Sedlacek is hitting .289 with five doubles, five home runs and 21 RBI in 48 starts.

The future still looks pretty damn good in Shocker Nation

[SubGod22]

[Stickboy46]

Had to have been the most no-brainer POTY vote in a long time.

[SubGod22]

Had to have been the most no-brainer POTY vote in a long time.

She wasn't even unanimous. Some dolt voted for someone else.

[Stickboy46]

She wasn't even unanimous. Some dolt voted for someone else.

Someone should have their vote removed

[shoxlax]

Serious question: Is .972 for a 2B an elite number or is her really strong point making extremely difficult plays?

[ShockerFever]

She wasn't even unanimous. Some dolt voted for someone else.

Can the WSU voter vote for a WSU player?