Shocker Softball-Looking ahead to 21-22

[1972Shocker]

Same with baseball although Jace has turned out pretty good so far.

Some pretty crazy stuff happens at the high school level.

Like this:

91 runs, 65 walks and nearly 5 hours: The craziest game in Alabama high school softball history

https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/high-school/prepsports/2021/05/07/alabama-high-school-softball-crazy-game-91-runs-sidney-lanier/4983335001/

[flyingMoose]

Some pitchers are pretty athletic, i.e. Bailey Lange. Some are not. There are more than a few very good pitchers who look like offensive lineman.

Yeah, I never saw so many guards and tackles in the circle during Regionals.

[ShockTalk]

Yeah, I never saw so many guards and tackles in the circle during Regionals.

1972Shocker Some pitchers are pretty athletic, i.e. Bailey Lange. Some are not. There are more than a few very good pitchers who look like offensive lineman.


I guess I wasn't thinking about "size and speed" as much as "savy and alertness". A pitcher in softball doesn't have a lot of area to cover, but they need to be able to cover their area, know what to do with the ball or they could get abused with the bunting game, plus pitch a smart game.

[1972Shocker]

https://goshockers.com/news/2021/5/2...k-example.aspx

[ShockTalk]

"We had grit and fight."

It is SO tough being between the "elite" and the "want to be". These are players that are overlooked, under appreciated, or late bloomers, but put it together like this year. It is so much easier recruiting players to a program that is a step down than one that is just a step away from that next, "big" level up. That is the achilles' heal of being WSU. It is also the joy as a fan when a team shows it can hold it's own in a sport. Proud to be a Shocker fan.

[WuDrWu]

Exit velo and launch angles please, or it didn't happen.

[1972Shocker]

Paul Seullentrop podcast with new appointed pitching coach Pressley Bell.

https://wichitastate.tv/podcast/roun...tate-softball/

The bottom line at this point is that the pitching duties next year will be in the right arms of Caitlyn Binghan, Erin McDonald and redshirt freshman Jordyn Pipkin. No mention of any newcomers.

Erin McDonald is playing this summer in the 2nd year of the Floriday Gulf Coast Softball League. They have 10 teams and it looks like around 15 players per team. Erin was listed as playing for the Manatee Squeeze. Neleigh Herring is on the Bradenton Slice roster. Wylie Glover and Lauren Lucas are on the Anna Aquanauts roster. Gracie Sullivan is on the SUA Pioneers roster.

https://justinsworldsb.com/fgcl-team...s-2021-season/

Coach Bell indicated Erin was doing well so far. Haven't found any stats but did find a tweet saying the Squeeae was 2nd in team BA and 2nd in team ERA as of the end of June.

Looks like about 20 of the players listed are transfering to new schools. Kind of disappointed that a Shocker isn't on the South Bradenton Skeeters. They get my vote for best team name. The Siesta Key Phinz isn't bad either. Based on their logo ti appear to be referring to Shark fins.

https://twitter.com/FGCLsoftball/status/1408065457324662786/photo/1

[1972Shocker]

HCKB has picked up a couple of transfers. Position players. One from Texas Tech and one from Houston. Both OKC area girls.

Arielle James - Houston: https://goshockers.com/news/2021/7/1...ita-state.aspx

Arielle has only 1 season of eligibility left. She started every game of her Houston career at second base and is a career .364 hitter with 10 home runs, 39 doubles, 79 RBI and 118 runs scored. My guess is Arielle will take over at 2nd base for one season to replace the departing Kaylee Huecker.

Zoe Jones - Texas Tech: https://goshockers.com/news/2021/7/1...zoe-jones.aspx

Zoe has two years of eligibility remaining. She appeared in 122 career games, making 121 starts for the Red Raiders. She's a career .283 hitter with 14 home runs, 11 doubles and 59 RBI. Not sure what HCKB has in mind for Zoe. She could be competing for playing time at 3rd base to replace the departing of Ryleigh Buck. Not sure if she can play the outfield or not. The Shocks lacked offensive punch in left field last year.

[flyingMoose]

Arielle sat out the last two years. It may take a bit to get back to the form she had in 2019.

[Ted Lasso's Neighbor]

Last Friday WSU announced softball head coach Kristi Bredbenner signed a contract extension through the 2026 season - https://goshockers.com/news/2021/8/6...extension.aspx

[1972Shocker]

Shocker Softball to Play Seven Fall Exhibition Contests

https://goshockers.com/news/2021/8/16/shocker-softball-to-play-seven-fall-exhibition-contests.aspx

This is kind of an interesting fall schedule. In the past it seemed like Juco opponents would dominate the fall schedule. This schedule includes 1 juco opponent (Seminole State), 1 D-1 opponent (Kansas) and 5 D-II opponents (Pitt State, Southern Nazarene, Central Oklahoma, Emporia State and Fort Hays State). I like it.

Should be a bit more challenging than a Juco dominated lineup of games.

[1972Shocker]

Shocker Softball Dinner & Auction Set for Sept. 25

https://goshockers.com/news/2021/8/3...r-sept-25.aspx

[1972Shocker]

RH: Shockers Begin Building on 2021's Success

https://goshockers.com/news/2021/9/1...s-success.aspx

Here are five questions for Wichita State softball.

How does the roster pass down the feel of success from NCAA runs in 2018 and 2021?

The Shockers play eight fall scrimmages. How does that competition help this fall?

What does catcher look like with Perrigan and her 58 career home runs gone?

How will the pitching staff look?

What's next for Barnard?

[1972Shocker]

Roundhouse podcast with Elizabeth Economon on Wichita State softball

https://wichitastate.tv/podcast/roundhouse-podcast-with-elizabeth-economon-on-wichita-state-softball/

[1972Shocker]

Shockers Overpower Gorillas in Fall Opener

https://goshockers.com/news/2021/9/19/softball-shockers-overpower-gorillas-in-fall-opener.aspx

There doesn't appear to be a box score available but based on the recap this was a 10-inning scrimmage with the Shock cruising to a 31-3 win over Pitt State.

The Shocks hit 6 home rund including 4 in a 16-run 1st inning. Neleigh Herring had 3 of the 6 home runs. Jess Garcia had a grand slam and Camryn Compton and Texas Tech transfer Zoe Jones capped of the 16-run first with home runs.

Erin McDonald started the game in the circle and threw 3.0 innings, striking out five, while allowing no hits or runs. Kenzie Schopfer (1.0 IP, 1 K, 2 H), Jordyn Pipkin (1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 BB) and Alison Cooper (2.0 IP, 2 K, 1 H) all made their debuts in the circle. Caitlin Bingham rounded out the rotation, going 3.0 innings and allowing three runs on four hits.