SB: 2023 in season news

[SubGod22]

AOL - The hits keep on coming: Wichita State star Sydney McKinney climbing NCAA record book

It won’t be long until Wichita State softball star Sydney McKinney begins reaching rarified air in the world of college softball.

McKinney has essentially rewritten WSU’s record books during her illustrious, All-American career with another milestone reached in the Shockers’ 12-0 win over Fairleigh Dickinson in San Diego on Sunday, as McKinney recorded her 300th career hit.

She has already shattered WSU’s all-time career record, which was previously 250 set by Britnee Barnett from 2005-08, and now McKinney is approaching all-time status. It’s unlikely she can catch the all-time NCAA leader in Arizona’s Alison McCutcheon with 405 career hits, but McKinney only needs 57 more hits to enter the top-10 all-time list.

McKinney is currently hitting .771 for the Shockers (8-3) after their first 11 games of the season, as she upped her average even more with a 3-for-3 performance in Sunday’s win to close out the Torero Classic. She also has a 29-game hitting streak, which is tied for the 11th-longest in NCAA history.

She really is a special talent

[SubGod22]

Go Shockers - McKinney, Howell Sweep American Weekly Awards

WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State softball has swept the American Athletic Conference weekly awards, as Sydney McKinney and Lauren Howell have been named the Player and Pitcher of the Week, it was announced Monday.

McKinney continued her unreal start to the season in San Diego. In six games she hit .765/.789/1.353 with 13 hits, two triples, two home runs, three stolen bases, three RBI and scoring eight runs. She is currently in the midst of a 29-game hitting streak, which is tied for the 11th longest in NCAA history. McKinney is hitting .771 (27-for-35) through 11 games and recorded her 300th career hit in Sunday's win over FDU.

This is the fourth career Player of the Week honor for McKinney. Wichita State has claimed the first two of the season after Lauren Lucas took the honors last week.

Lauren Howell picks up her first Pitcher of the Week accolade after a 2-0 weekend in the circle for Wichita State. Howell didn't allow a single run in 11.0 innings. She struck out 14, including a career-high seven in each outing. Opposing hitters recorded just six hits and two walks off Howell. She is 3-1 this season with a 1.17 ERA in 18.0 innings.

[SubGod22]

Go Shockers - McKinney Tabbed NFCA National Player of the Week

WICHITA, Kan. - Fresh off American Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors, Sydney McKinney can add Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week to her resume.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced the weekly award Tuesday afternoon, making McKinney the second Shocker to collect National Player of the Week honors. Addison Barnard won the award three times in 2022.

McKinney continued her unreal start to the season in San Diego. In six games she slashed .765/.789/1.353 with 13 hits, two triples, two home runs, three stolen bases, three RBI and scoring eight runs. She is currently riding a 29-game hitting streak, which is tied for the 11th longest in NCAA history. Through 11 games, McKinney is hitting .771 (27-for-35) and recorded her 300th career hit in Sunday's win over FDU.

She finds herself in familiar territory yet again this season, leading the country in batting average, hits and on base percentage. The closest hitter in batting average is at .667, and she has six more hits than UCLA's Maya Brady at No. 2.

McKinney and the Shockers prepare for a big test in Denton, Texas, this weekend at the North Texas Invitational. Wichita State will play two games against North Texas, which opened the season ranked in the Top 25.

[shocks02]

Ranked #23 by D1 Softball

https://d1softball.com/d1softballs-top-25-rankings-oklahoma-back-on-top-oregon-wichita-state-enter/

[OSShock]

#17 in RPI

https://d1softball.com/nitty-gritty/

[SubGod22]

McKinney Grabs Spot on AAC Weekly Honor Roll

WICHITA, Kan. - Senior shortstop Sydney McKinney was named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll on Monday.

McKinney continued her stellar senior campaign in Denton, Texas, to help Wichita State go 4-0 at the North Texas Invitational. McKinney slashed .538/.615/.625 with seven hits, a double, an RBI and scored four runs. She had multiple hits in three of the four games, and extended her hitting streak to 33 in the process. That 33-game hitting streak ranks 6th all-time in NCAA history.

This is the first honor roll nod of the season for the Norborne, Mo., native after earning Player of the Week honors a week ago.

McKinney and the Shockers host Western Illinois and Bradley this weekend for their home opener, March 4-5 at Wilkins Stadium.

Player of the Week
Savannah Adams, So., UTL, UCF

Pitcher of the Week
Addy Bullis, Jr., LHP, East Carolina

Honor Roll
Taylor Edwards, Jr., RHP, Houston
Turiya Coleman, So., UTL, Houston
Hallie Bryant, R-So., OF, South Florida
Haley Morgan, Sr., OF, Tulsa
Sydney McKinney Sr., SS, Wichita State

[ShockerFever]

It’d be nice to host a regional.

[SubGod22]

24 by Softball America

[flyingMoose]

Games through 26 Feb

NFCA Rankings: 25

ESPN.com/USA Softball Rankings: RV29

I suppose it is nice to be ranked in any poll, but those above are the two longstanding polls that have earned their stripes. Of course, all polls are just conversation pieces and have no bearing on post-season decisions.

In both of the above polls, UCF dropped into RV(31 and 32). San Diego State is barely RV in both polls, and North Texas is no longer RV.

[WstateU]

Keep tweeting…

[SubGod22]

[SubGod22]

Look at those ridiculous numbers.

She's special

[SubGod22]

A little RoundHouse love for softball

[SubGod22]

[shocks02]

RPI just out today on the NCAA website.

AAC:
WSU -- 21
UCF -- 55
USF -- 69
Houston -- 84
Tulsa -- 99
ECU -- 119
Memphis -- 274

Remaining Non-Con:
Stanford -- 3
Nebraska -- 28
Missouri St -- 107
Arkansas -- 7
Northern Colorado -- 204
Minnesota -- 26
Kansas -- 105
Omaha -- 92
Oklahoma St -- 4
Oklahoma -- 2

Completed Non-Con:
Texas St -- 34
Boise St -- 43
UNT -- 44
San Diego St -- 46
Villanova -- 56
Utah Tech -- 120
Bradley -- 139
Kent St -- 149
FDU -- 166
San Diego -- 168
Northwestern St -- 171
WIU -- 280

Future AAC:
Charlotte -- 31
UNT -- 44
FAU -- 95
UAB -- 110
UTSA -- 261