<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737686710404.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita State Athletics
 
WICHITA, Kan. -&nbsp;For the second straight season Wichita State softball has been voted the favorite to win the American Athletic Conference by the league&apos;s coaches.
 
Wichita State received four first place votes and 75 total points in the preseason coaches poll. A total of seven points separate the top three teams in the poll. Coming in behind right behind Wichita State are Florida Atlantic (70) and North Texas (68).
 
The Shockers welcome back All-American outfielder&nbsp;<dfn style="text-align: start;color: rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-lucas/9314" rel="smarttag" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Lauren Lucas</a></dfn>, as well as all-conference performers in juniors&nbsp;<dfn style="text-align: start;color: rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/taylor-sedlacek/9318" rel="smarttag" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Taylor Sedlacek</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn style="text-align: start;color: rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sami-hood/9312" rel="smarttag" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sami Hood</a></dfn>&nbsp;and sophomore pitcher&nbsp;<dfn style="text-align: start;color: rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/chloe-barber/9310" rel="smarttag" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Chloe Barber</a></dfn>.
 
The Shockers open the season at the GCU Kickoff Classic&nbsp;in Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 7-9. Wichita State will play five games over three days against Northern Illinois, Grand Canyon, Colgate and Montana.
 
Season tickets are on sale now at GoShockers.com/Tickets or by calling the Shocker Ticket Office at 316-978-3267.
 
2025 American Athletic Conference Preseason Softball Coaches&apos; Poll
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="text-align: start; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 16px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; width: 100%;">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">Team (First-Place Votes)</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">Pts.</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">1. Wichita State (4)</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">75</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">2. Florida Atlantic (3) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">70</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">3. North Texas (3)</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">68</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">4. East Carolina</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">57</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">5. South Florida</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">51</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">6. Tulsa</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">41</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">7. UAB</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">31</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">8. Charlotte</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">29</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">9. UTSA</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">18</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">10. Memphis</td>
 <td style="font-size: 0.875rem;">10</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table></div>

🥎 WSU tabbed as AAC preseason favorite