What Division is Wichita State Baseball?
The Wichita State Shockers baseball team competes in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference (AAC). Wichita State University is located in Wichita, Kansas and is home to the Shockers. The Shockers have been a member of the AAC since the 2021 season, having previously been part of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). The Shockers have made numerous appearances in the NCAA tournament, including one College World Series appearance in 1996.
History of Wichita State Baseball
The Wichita State Shockers baseball program began in 1902. In its early years, the program competed in several conferences, including the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and the Big Eight Conference. In 1998, the Shockers joined the MVC, where they won six regular season championships and four tournament championships. In 2021, Wichita State left the MVC and joined the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
Wichita State Baseball Success
Since joining the AAC, the Shockers have had a successful run. In 2021, the Shockers won the AAC regular season championship. The Shockers also advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2021, their first appearance since 2017. In addition to their regular season success, the Shockers have also had success in the NCAA tournament. In 1996, the Shockers reached the College World Series, where they eventually lost to the University of Miami.
Stadium
The Shockers play their home games at Eck Stadium, located on the Wichita State University campus. The stadium has a capacity of 4,500, making it one of the smallest stadiums in Division I baseball. The stadium underwent an expansion in 2013, which raised the capacity to its current number.
Head Coaches
The Shockers have had a number of successful head coaches throughout their history. The current head coach is Todd Butler, who took over for Marshall McDougall in 2017. McDougall was the head coach from 2003-2017 and led the Shockers to three NCAA tournament appearances, including the College World Series in 1996.
Notable Wichita State Baseball Players
Throughout its history, the Shockers have had a number of standout players. Some of the more notable players include:
- Casey Blake: Blake played at Wichita State from 1994-1996 and was a two-time All-American. He was drafted in the third round of the 1996 MLB draft by the Minnesota Twins.
- Kurt Kepshire: Kepshire played at Wichita State from 1981-1983 and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1983 MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants. He went on to have a successful Major League career.
- Conor Gillaspie: Gillaspie played at Wichita State from 2006-2008 and was drafted in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants. He is currently a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
Recruiting
The Shockers have had success in the recruiting process, landing some of the best players in the country. The Shockers have had a number of players drafted in the MLB draft, including first round picks Conor Gillaspie and Casey Blake. The Shockers have also seen a number of players move on to successful professional careers, including current MLB players Kurt Kepshire and Conor Gillaspie.
Future of Wichita State Baseball
The future looks bright for the Shockers. The Shockers have made a strong start to their tenure in the AAC, winning the 2021 regular season championship. The Shockers also have a strong recruiting class coming in for 2021, and the team looks poised to continue their success in the future.
Conclusion
The Wichita State Shockers baseball team competes in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference. The Shockers have a long and successful history, having won six regular season championships and four tournament championships in the MVC. The Shockers currently play their home games at Eck Stadium and have had a number of successful head coaches, including current head coach Todd Butler. The Shockers have also had a number of successful players, including two-time All-American Casey Blake and current MLB players Kurt Kepshire and Conor Gillaspie. The Shockers have had success in the recruiting process and look poised to continue their success in the future.