Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. - Sydney McKinney went a perfect 3-for-3 on All-America Teams, earning First Team honors from Softball America Thursday morning, while Lauren Lucas was named a Third Team All-American.
With Softball America announcing its All-America Teams Thursday, McKinney finishes her career as a First Team All-American from all three publications: NFCA, D1 Softball and Softball America. McKinney set the bar becoming the first All-American in school history in 2021, and has raised it becoming the first consensus First Team All-American in school history.
The Norborne, Mo., native is leading the country in hits (103) and batting average (.520) for the second straight season, and is on track to become the first player in NCAA DI history to repeat as both batting average and hit champion in back-to-back seasons. She added 13 doubles, 7 triples, 5 home runs, 33 RBI and 76 runs scored to her impressive senior campaign. Her 7 triples and 76 runs scored all rank in the Top 10 nationally.
McKinney is the career and single season record holder at Wichita State in batting average, hits, runs and on base percentage. A two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and four-time First Team All-Conference selection, McKinney adds to a robust resume. McKinney finished her career with 378 career hits, fifth most in NCAA history. Her career batting average of .451 ranks 14th in NCAA history.
The announcement of Lucas earning Third Team All-America honors makes her the third Shocker to be named an All-American, joining McKinney and Addison Barnard (2022).
The Little Elm, Texas, native set career highs in doubles (16), triples (7) and RBI (62) in 2023 to go with a .384 average and 4 home runs. Her 62 RBI rank ninth nationally and No. 2 on the single season charts at Wichita State. With her RBI production in 2023, she surpassed the 100 career RBI mark at the NCAA Stillwater Regional. Lucas is a two-time First Team All-Conference and NFCA All-Central Region selection.