Wichita State Softball Reboots With New Core and Fresh Identity for 2026
Wichita State Softball Reboots With New Faces and Fresh Identity for 2026
Wichita State is heading into the 2026 season with a different feel and a different level of intention. Coming off a fall that looked much different than anything they have done in recent years, Head Coach Kristi Bredbenner believes the new structure, the roster overhaul, and the return of several key pieces have the Shockers trending upward.
The Shockers spent five full weeks on individual development before shifting into team practice, a change Bredbenner said helped set the tone early. With 14 newcomers, the largest group she has brought in during her time at Wichita State, laying down that foundation was crucial. It allowed transfers and freshmen to settle in, understand how the staff teaches, and ease into team concepts before games arrived.
“We tried something a little different this year,” Bredbenner said. “Doing individual work before team practice made things much smoother. Everyone was more prepared when it came to the fall games. It really helped our transfers and freshmen transition faster than they typically would.”
That early foundation matters, because this roster looks very different from last year’s 29-25-1 group that fell just short of the NCAA postseason. There is talent returning, but the additions through the portal have reshaped both the infield and the circle.
One of the biggest additions is shortstop Chloe Rhine, the reigning A10 Defensive Player of the Year at Saint Louis. Simply put, she fills a void the Shockers have missed.
“Chloe works really hard, has awesome hands, great footwork, and plays defense at a very high level,” Bredbenner said. “That is something we’ve lacked the last couple of years, having that true shortstop.”
Rhine has also stepped in as a leader right away. Sometimes transfers need time to find their voice, but that has not been the case here. She has blended quickly with the roster and carries the mindset of someone who expects to make an immediate impact.
Offensively, she has put in a lot of work with Coach Elizabeth Economon since arriving to Wichita. Bredbenner knows that Rhine’s strong suit is on the defensive side, but Bredbenner believes Rhine is in position to elevate her game in the box, and just do what is needed.
“I think the biggest thing for her is understanding that if she can be someone who sets the table and becomes that pesky hitter in the box, that will really help us. The defense will be the thing that carries her throughout the season,” said Kristi Bredbenner.
Another major addition is infielder Ausha Moore, who arrives from North Texas and had one of the most productive falls on the roster. Moore brings a power presence that the Shockers needed, and she backed it up with results. She hit eight or nine home runs during fall ball and posted some of the top exit velocities on TrackMan hitting in the 80s.
“From day one, Ausha has been transformative,” Bredbenner said. “She put in the work. She understands she’s got one year under her belt at North Texas and ended up being on the All Freshman Team for the American, so she’s very familiar with our conference and what it takes to be successful.”
Moore plays a steady third base as well, and she and Rine have already formed a strong connection on the left side.
Pitching is where Wichita State may have taken the largest step forward. The Shockers added transfers Janelle Wilson (North Carolina), Gabby Fakes (Wisconsin), and Jade Sanders (Rogers State), giving the staff both depth and variety.
Wilson and Fakes arrive with limited innings at their previous programs, often put in with tough situations. That can be tough for any pitcher, especially young ones.
“They had some really great innings for us, and they had some innings where they struggled a little bit this fall, but I think they’re going to see more opportunities to work through those struggles than they ever have,” said Bredbenner. “That’s why they’re going to get better. They’re going to build that confidence, and this is a second chance for them to show everybody what they can do.”
Sanders, meanwhile, is the wild card according to Kristi Bredbenner. She threw heavy innings at the Division II level and brings the mentality of someone who has carried a staff before. With Wichita State’s added depth, she should be more efficient and able to pitch fresher than she has in the past.
The Shockers have a couple that are looking to have solid sophomore seasons. Ryley Nihart and Ava Sliger both return with a better understanding of what they need to add to their game.
“We return Ava Sliger and Ryley Nihart, and both of them have really done a great job from freshman to sophomore year, understanding that they’ve got to evolve and understanding they’re going to use their experiences from that first year to make themselves better in year two, year three, and year four. To do that, you’ve got to bring some different elements to the plate.”
With Coach Courtney Oliver-Elkins guiding the entire pitching staff, development has become a clear strength. Oliver-Elkins has worked closely with the group through the transition and the increased use of technology, giving each pitcher a clearer understanding of how their pitches actually move and where they can continue to grow.
Behind the plate, Gabby Scott looks poised for a strong year. Bredbenner noted that she has picked up right where she left off in the spring and continues to make strides both offensively and defensively. In her second year, she looks to take have a better understanding of things and has put in a lot of work over the offseason and fall.
In the outfield, senior Jodie Epperson remains one of the most naturally gifted defenders Bredbenner has coached. Her range and arm strength stand out, and this could be an important offensive season for her if she relaxes, plays free, and lets the game come to her.
“Jodie Epperson is probably, in my mind, one of the best outfielders I’ve ever coached. Her range and her ability to get to balls you don’t think she has any chance to reach is incredible,” Bredbenner said. “Even when one is just out of her reach, her ability to pick it up and fire it in with that arm is special. I think this year is going to be a big one for her offensively.”
Sophomore outfielder Brookelyn Livanec continues to be exactly who this team needs. She is pesky, competitive, and finds ways to get on base. Even after an injury slowed her early in the summer, she returned smoothly and immediately made her presence felt. Players like her are super important to the fabric of a team. She may not hit the long ball much, but she knows how to make her at bats count and take advantage on the base paths.
Her traits will be a big plus for her in stamping a spot in the lineup. Coach Bredbenner spoke to having six outfielders that are more than capable of playing great defense. However, she needs the offensive output to go along with that as well.
Speaking of Wichita State’s offense, it is centered on balance. The Shockers added more power, but they remain committed to putting the right hitters on base and creating pressure. According to 64 Analytics, the Shockers were 27th in the nation last season with 72 home runs, but they are looking to score in more ways that one.
“I think the importance for us is finding the right formula to set the table and give ourselves the chance to have the most prolific offense we can this year. We’ve added some kids who can hit the ball out of the ballpark, and we also have kids who may not hit it out but find ways on through base hits, walks, hit by pitches, things like that. It’s their job to get on, turn the lineup over, and get something started for the rest of our hitters.”
Weather is hardly nice for Wichita, Kansas in February, and 2026 will be probably be no different. The Shockers will open the season with 20 games straight on the road, something the program has grown accustomed to. Coach Bredbenner believes this roster is built to handle the early grind.
They will be tested right away against teams like Baylor, Mississippi State, Arkansas, and Clemson, matchups that will give an early look at how quickly this group can come together.
Chemistry is often a question for rosters with this many newcomers, but Bredbenner sees no questions there for the Shockers. She also credited the staff’s emphasis on communication and relationships, especially with Coaches Economon and Oliver-Elkins. Wichita State is a place where players can be themselves, feel appreciated, and play.
As much as this roster has changed, and as much as the Shockers have rebuilt around new faces, the heartbeat of the program has stayed the same. Wichita State continues to lean on communication, trust, and a staff that knows how to reach its players.
It is the piece that holds everything together and the piece that gives this group confidence heading into 2026. For Coach Bredbenner, that foundation starts with connection.
“The hidden talent of being a good coach is building relationships and creating an environment where kids can be who they are, and that is something we pride ourselves on here at Wichita State. We’ve had a lot of success with players out of the transfer portal, and a big part of that is that when they come to Wichita State, they are looking for a second chance, but they also want to be themselves.
A lot of times they went somewhere where they didn’t feel comfortable, or it wasn’t what they expected, or they weren’t getting the coaching they needed. Maybe the coaches weren’t as invested in them. They come here looking for that fresh start.
Whether they are an incoming kid, a returner, or a transfer, it all comes back to building relationships. Coach Economon is one of the best relationship builders in our program. She is one of the closest people to our players. She is someone everyone loves and looks to for guidance, and that is a huge reason why our offense has been so prolific.
She spends a lot of time with them. She is all in, fully invested in their success, and she is always looking for ways to help them be great. That doesn’t come from just showing up every day and throwing front toss. It comes from trust and communication, and from building those relationships so they can understand each other.
Coach O has done such a great job with that, especially this year with such a new group of student athletes. That is the important part of our program. You are going to have years where more new kids come in than you expected, and when that happens, you want them to feel just as important as everyone else. Building those relationships is what makes that possible.”
The Shockers will be a fun watch in the American Conference and nationally this coming season. Keep your eyes on Wichita State.
Your Subscription to Fastpitch Wire Softball is appreciated.
