2024-25 Shocker Softball Offseason, Fall Season and Pre-Season

[1972Shocker]

2024 Fall Softball Slate Revealed

Wichita State softball has finalized a 2024 fall softball schedule that includes five home dates at Wilkins Stadium.

The remaining schedule will bring Emporia State, Butler Community College and SNU to Wilkins Stadium.

Admission is $5 at the gate for all home games at Wilkins Stadium.

Sept. 14 | 12 PM	McLennan (DH)	Wilkins Stadium
Sept. 15 | 2 PM	Murray State (10 inn.)	Wilkins Stadium
Sept. 27 | 4 PM	at Kansas (DH)	Lawrence, Kan.
Sept. 29 | 1 PM	Emporia State (10 inn.)	Wilkins Stadium
Oct. 3 | 6 PM	Butler CC (10 inn.)	Wilkins Stadium
Oct. 5 | 1 PM	SNU (10 inn.)	Wilkins Stadium

[1972Shocker]

Is it my imagination or has Alex Aquilar trimmed down significantly (front row in our right).


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[1972Shocker]

RH: Podcast with Shocker Softball Coach Kristi Bredbenner

Listen to the podcast

Coach Kristi Bredbenner helps us celebrate ground-breaking on the indoor practice facility at Wilkins Stadium (10:30 a.m., Sept 14) with a description of the new building, why it is needed and the timeline for construction. We also talk about the rise in softball's popularity and how WSU's success set the groundwork for fundraising.

Bredbenner updates us on fall practices, Lauren Lucas' return and newcomers to watch. We also remember Phyllis Diller's appearance at Wilkins Stadium's groundbreaking in 1997 and muse about possible celebrity appearances on Saturday. The Shockers open their fall scrimmages against McLennan (Texas) Community College at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Bredbenner is entering her 14^th season at Wichita State.

[ShockerDropOut]

I went to the game today. I only stayed for one as I haven't been feeling great lately (getting old sucks.....lol). First of all, its September, there is lots that will improve, and need to, before February. Some observations that stood out to me.

I was really impressed by Ellee Eck. She hit in the two spot and made solid contact each at bat. I look forward to seeing a lot more of her. it is great to see a local lady (Andale) in Shocker colors. It doesn't look like, at this point anyway, that we have a great deal of power. We were really spoiled having Addie and CC last year. I doubt if the team has as many home runs as a team as Addie had individually last year. But how do you replace that duo honestly. I thought we had good team speed. It was good to see Launen Lucas back on the field. I thought she looked good. She hit the ball hard and just missed a really nice diving catch in center field. Ryley Nihart showed some promise on the mound. As a freshman at least she threw strikes. My favorite #9 hitter of all time, Krystin Nelson, appeared to be on the DL. She was in sweats. Not sure of her injury. There were probably some things I missed too. Substitutions were coming hot and heavy throughout the game. So don't take what I saw as the only bright spots.

We will definitely have a new identity going forward. It will be fun watching HCKB shape this team.

[1972Shocker]

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it would be nice it they could post box scores from these games to get a better feel for who was playing and who was effective and who was not. Nevertheless, I can't say that scores of 11-10 and 1-1 against Juco competition is particularly encouraging but obviously HCKB needs to see what she has to work with.

[1972Shocker]

The Shockers had much more fun on Sunday with the sticks:

[1972Shocker]

Based on X post factoids Carolyn Tallent, Taylor Sedlaceck and freshman Gabby Scott homered. Taylor's was a 3-run job that capped the Shocker's 9-run 7th.

Not 100% sure but this looks like #5 which would be the pride of Tupelo, Oklahoma (population 327), freshman Ava Sliger:

[ShockerDropOut]

I went up to Lawerence to watch our Shocks play some ball. Just stream of consciousness observation as i watch the games.

My favorite #9 hitter of all time Krystin Nelson still in sweats.

Really nice play by LF Jodie Epperson to gun down a runner at second on a ball in the corner. Just a really good play.

Double off the wall in center by Taylor. Runner scores for third on a sac fly by Sammie.

I see a lot more aggressiveness on the bases. I like it!

Sammie makes a really good turn for the dp before getting taken out by the runner. 3-1 Shocks through 5.

Shocks dink and dunk their way to 2 runs in the 6th, then Taylor rips a double for 2 more.

Chloe in the pitch in the 6th.

I cant say enough good things about Ava Sliger. She was outstanding. She had good command to all quadrants and threw strikes. Man she was good. She is working on her change it appeared. While not there yet all of the time, as she fine tunes it and gets more confidence in it, it is going to be devastating. She certainly kept hitters off balance with it. I am nothing but impressed here. We got a good one!

Cloe comes in and slams the door. 7-1 Shocks final.

This was a very well played game. It is always good to beat KU even in fall ball. Game 2 observations coming up.

[ShockerDropOut]

Shocks small ball their way to 1 in the top of the 1st. The only reason it wasnt at least 3 was two outstanding plays by the KU defense.

Alex on the mound.

Looks like we are going to have a VERY tight strike zone this game. Alex a little frustrated with the zone and I dont blame her. She gets through it though. It is tight both ways though.

Excellent running catch in left field by Lauren. I think. Substitutions are coming fast and furious. Definitely saved a run.

Erica in to pitch the 3rd. Alex fought hard through 2. She did throw a lot of pitches with that small zone. Cant complain at all with the effort or results.

Shocks get 2 in the 5th aided by a TERRIBLE hop over the short stop. Pretty sure we get one there anyway. 3-1 Shocks after 4 1/2.

Ryley in to pitch the 5th. Erica pitched well. A lot of jam shots with her. Not much at all hit hard.

These Shocks are a resilient bunch. A terrible terrible terrible fair call down the third base line puts a runner at second with no outs and they get out of it. Ryley wasnt missing many bats but gutted through it. I liked her the first time i saw here and still do. She’s a gamer.

Shocks with 2 more in the 7th. Up 5-1 with Chloe coming in. This game wouldnt even be close if not for KU making some stellar defensive plays. They have saved a minimum of 4 runs this game. I have to give them a tip of the cap.

So Chloe always makes things exciting. 7th goes double, walk, walk, K, K, K! Shocks complete the sweep 5-1.

A really good team victory. Pitching, defense, aggressive base running and timely hitting. It is way too early to be too excited, but I cant wait for the season to start.

[BAShocker]

Thanks for the updates!

Wonder if there’s a box score. I assume there won’t be.

[1972Shocker]

Thanks for those reports ShockerDropOut

Pretty encouraging weekend with the Shocks only giving up 2 runs in 14 innings (I assume) and producing 12 runs against a defense who apparently played very well.

An offense that can small ball their way to scoring can sometimes be more effective than than the grip it and rip it teams especially when they run into high level pitching.

[ShockerDropOut]

Them ladies was playin' some ball! In all seriousness, they looked way beyond where I expected for fall ball. I watched the opening game against MCC and they looked like it was their first game in a while. This doubleheader was mid season form. There were a few things to continue to work on, but HCKB is more than capable of correcting anything I saw. She was on them a few times. Teaching moments you know. I hope to get out and see a few more games this fall. They have raised my expectations quite a bit. They will be a completely different team offensively, but I think that will be really fun.

[flyingMoose]

Wonder if there’s a box score. I assume there won’t be.

I may be misremembering from some years ago, but I think the NCAA does not allow box scores from these fall games.

[1972Shocker]

10-inning scrimmage. Not sure who all pitched but 2 innings each from Ava, Ryley, Erica, Chloe and Alex would not be too surprising. In any case sounds like the pitching was okay.

Plenty of run support. Taylor and Sophie each had 2-run homers and Lulu added a 2-run triple.

[1972Shocker]