Third baseman Ryleigh Buck and shortstop Sydney McKinney discuss winning the conference title, their walk-up songs and the season’s top defensive plays. McKinney reveals her secret about Hi-Chew candy. They also talk about when they knew the Shockers had something special going and the big summer event in McKinney’s hometown of Norborne, Mo.
Wichita State opens American Athletic Conference play this weekend against ECU at Wilkins Stadium. Assistant coach Elizabeth Economon joins the podcast to discuss the team’s 17-4 start, wins over Iowa State and Oklahoma State and the performance of several Shocker freshmen. We talk about Neleigh Herring’s journey to the top of the conference batting list, how coaches can control for work ethic while recruiting and why Economon doesn’t use her two conference MVP’s as Truman State shortstop as a trump card around the softball office.
Senior Madison Perrigan is Wichita State’s career home run leader with 42 entering this week’s tournament at Wilkins Stadium. She joins the podcast to talk about Wichita State’s 11-3 record, a win over then-No. 23 Iowa State and the turnaround for the pitching staff. Perrigan also gives the background on her walk-up songs, cheers in the dugout and how she selected Wichita State for college.
Shocker softball is in the midst of fall practices and assistant coach Elizabeth Economon joins the podcast to discuss Wichita State’s senior returners, Wylie Glover’s improvement during the abbreviated 2020 spring, how the team is compensating for pandemic restrictions and newcomers off to a good start.
Softball coach Kristi Bredbenner talks about outfitting the addition to her family in Shocker colors, keeping the team connected through check-ins and regular questions. She has three talented seniors who will return next spring and she details what that means for her roster. Track and field’s Steve Rainbolt misses the rhythm of accomplishment and team competition he usually experiences during the spring. He is a newcomer to Netflix and offers a few movie recommendations, led by “Bull Durham.”
Mike Kennedy, Bob Lutz and Paul Suellentrop list their top moments, stories and developments for Wichita State athletics in the 2010 era. Topics include the 2013 Final Four, the 2014 perfect regular season, the 2012 volleyball Sweet 16, Aliphine Tuliamuk’s distance running and the ups and downs of Shocker baseball.
Wichita State assistant coach Elizabeth Economon wraps up fall practices with a look at how the pitching staff might fill in behind Bailey Lange, how the competition at third base played out and how the new fences at Wilkins Stadium change things. She also gives a dining tip for trips to Southeast Kansas and describes playing with and for coach Kristi Bredbenner at Truman State.
Wichita State softball pitching coach Ryne Stefankiewicz discusses the staff as the Shockers prepare for fall scrimmages. Ace Bailey Lange is back after a strong final month of the 2018 season. Coaches are searching for a No. 2 starter.
