Why Avery Barnard wanted to follow All-American sister on Wichita State softball team

Another Barnard is joining the Wichita State softball team.

Avery Barnard, the younger sister of current Shocker and All-American slugger Addison Barnard, was one of six high school seniors who signed their National Letter of Intent on Wednesday.

After the sisters played one year of high school together at Beatrice (Neb.), Avery Barnard said the motivation to play one more season together with Addison played a significant role in her decision.

“I definitely took our time in high school for granted,” said Avery Barnard, who will join WSU for the 2024 spring season when Addison is a senior. “It went by way too fast, so I’m so excited to go play with her one last time.”

Avery Barnard has become a star in her own right, having just completed a standout, four-year career with a .597 batting average, 1.500 OPS and 17 steals as a senior. She is a three-time first team all-state selection in Nebraska and helped lead Beatrice to back-to-back conference championships.

Some might think it would be difficult to join the same team as your older sister who is a two-time All-American with the program’s single-season home run and RBI records, but Avery Barnard said she will be more than comfortable as her own player at Wichita State.

“Honestly, I don’t really feel any pressure because (the WSU coaching staff) knows that we are different ball players,” Avery Barnard said. “Addy is definitely more of a power hitter and I’m more of a get-on-base-every-time hitter. So I don’t really feel a lot of pressure; I’m just super excited to play with her again.”

Addison Barnard said she never tried to steer Avery’s recruiting toward Wichita State.

“I wanted her to have her own journey and do what she felt was best,” Addison said. “But I think ever since she’s been able to come to some of my games and see what this program is all about and how well they develop players, I think she just really liked it down here.”

And just like her older sister, Avery is a projected outfielder at the college level and also a three-sport star at Beatrice, as she is currently preparing for her senior basketball season and is also a star sprinter on the track in the spring.

In fact, Addison even admits her younger sister is the faster runner between the two — it’s part of the reason why she will have success at Wichita State.

“She does beat my times in track, so she’s very quick on the bases,” Addison Barnard said. “She’s very consistent at the plate and is going to be more of a gap-to-gap hitter. But she is getting stronger and she has the same build as me, so that’s exciting for her potential and I think she’s going to be really good for our program.”

WSU coach Kristi Bredbenner seemed to agree with her quote in the team’s release on GoShockers.com announcing the signing class.

“Avery Barnard will provide much-needed speed to the lineup,” Bredbenner said. “She’s not quite as powerful with the bat as her sister, but she more than makes up for that with her speed. Avery is very athletic and will wreak havoc on the bases and cover substantial ground in the outfield.”

Wichita State softball 2023 signing class

Chloe Barber, pitcher (Lino Lakes, Minn.)

Avery Barnard, utility (Beatrice, Neb.)

Sophie Johnson, catcher (Odessa, Fla.)

Erica Schertz, pitcher (Miami, Okla.)

Mila Seaton, utility (Tonganoxie, Kan.)

Sydney Zenon, infielder (Haslet, Texas)