Wichita State softball outfielder holds program home run record

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita State University senior outfielder Addison Barnard was a three-sport star in high school, but it didn’t take her long to decide what she wanted to play at the next level.

“As I got older, kind of in high school, I started to get a lot more competitive about it and, you know, realized that I started to like it more,” Barnard said.

Head coach Kristi Bredbenner says Barnard has exactly what the team looks for in student-athletes.

“You knew you were always going to get 100% out of her at practice and in games,” Bredbenner said.

Bredbenner learned about Barnard’s work ethic early on when the Nebraska native excelled as a freshman with the Shockers. She took home the AAC Rookie of the Year Award and was the Conference Tournament MVP.

“I didn’t know if I was going to play my freshman year. But I saw all the upperclassmen working ahead of me. And so I just put in the work, kind of believing in myself, and also putting in the work in the weight room, too,” Barnard said.

Right now, Barnard leads the school’s program in home runs with 78 so far in her career at Wichita State.

“Hearing the accolades, it makes me smile, and I’m very proud of them, but at the end of the day, I just take a step back. Every day is a new day and I’m going to do whatever I can to help our team get the win,” Barnard said.

However, with success comes pressure. Bredbenner says Barnard puts a lot on herself, but she’s learned to manage it throughout her four years.

“You love that competitiveness, but she was also pretty hard on herself. Now she’s really kind of controlling that type of emotion and not trying to do too much on the field. Just a really great kid that you can always count on helping you out,” Bredbenner said.

Now, Barnard hopes that pressure turns into diamonds as the Shockers look to get their way back to the Women’s College World Series.