Good morning! This weekend, Shockers’ baseball is honoring all the men and women who serve our country. Whether it’s at home or overseas, the fight for freedom is always one worth fighting, and WSU will show some of their appreciation and celebrate our Hometown Heroes tonight at Eck Stadium.

What else are we tossing into today’s Brew?

⚾️ Keep on moving
🏀 Talkin’ ball
​🌾 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Riding On History. This series is going to be big, y’all. The Shockers, with a series win, clinches at minimum, a share of the 2023 AAC regular season title. A series sweep would clinch the title outright. With the team coming in at 9-1 in their last 10, it isn’t too crazy to think that something good is going to happen this weekend.

WSU got to 40 wins for just the third time in history, and a lot of it has to do with the three aces. Lauren Howell, Alex Aguilar, and Alison Cooper have all reached double digit wins from the circle this season, the first time the Shockers have had a trio accomplish that in school history.

The offense has been a big reason for a lot of those wins. Of course, Sydney McKinney has been the actual best with an NCAA leading 89 hits. Addison Barnard and Zoe Jones have contributed nicely as well, tied for a team-leading 13 home runs so far on the season. It’s all been going right for the Shockers this season, and trust us, it wasn’t because of luck.

This weekend WSU will take on Tulsa to close out AAC play. With just four games left, every game matters that much more. The Shockers will have a lot to play for in the coming weeks, but for now, the focus is on Tulsa, and capturing that regular season title.

🔼 Going The Distance. At the Drake relays, it was the distance runners that shined the brightest with three top-10 finishes and three personal bests. Talk about taking care of business.

Bryce Merriman opened things up with a season-best in the 1500 meters and moved up to sixth place in the AAC. As soon as his time was posted, Iestyn Williams stepped up to the track and recorded a personal best in the 800 meter where he maintained his fourth place ranking in the conference.

Later in the 3000 meter steeplechase, Miranda Dick won in her first heat of the day and boosted her up not only in the conference standings, but in the WSU record books, moving her up to ninth all-time. Lastly, it was stud steeplechaser Clayton Duchatschek who beat his personal best and moved up to fifth in the all-time Shocker rankings.

The remainder of the squad will compete tomorrow as they continue to work towards the ultimate goal: the AAC Outdoor Championship. Follow along to all the action on the team’s socials.

🔼 Talkin’ Ball. Associate men’s basketball coach Kenton Paulino joins the Roundhouse Podcast to talk about all things WSU basketball including his relationship with Coach Mills, his prior experiences with Shocker fans from his time in Tulsa, and the importance of mentorship.

The former University of Texas standout also discusses a bit about his time in Austin and what it was like playing in a Final Four. Luckily for the Shockers, there’s no need to work on building chemistry, as Mills and Paulino have worked together at ORU for the past couple of seasons. But friends don’t just hire friends just for the sake of friendship. Paulino has the coaching and player chops to lead a successful team to heights that WSU is very excited about.

Check out the newest episode of the Roundhouse Podcast here and listen in on this most interesting discussion.

🔼 Keep On Moving. After tying things up in the bottom of the ninth inning on a rainy Wednesday night against the Jayhawks, it looked like the Shockers were going to steal a win at Eck Stadium. It wasn’t meant to be though, after Kansas put up two runs in the tenth, there was no response in the bottom half of the inning. The loss snapped a six-game win streak.

Luckily for the Shockers, it didn’t affect the AAC standings, as they still remain in a tie for first with Houston. WSU now will prepare for the Memphis Tigers who will come into Wichita looking to spoil the party. The Shockers have the advantage in this one after coming away with a series win against the Tigers last season after winning two of three.

Third baseman Jack Little had himself a game and will look to continue his success after going 3-4 with the game tying RBI in the ninth. Payton Tolle and Kyte McDonald also gave their best effort as they both had multi-hit games, and will hope to continue that kind of success this weekend. Staying at home, the Shockers begin the series tonight at 6:00. Watch all the action on ESPN+ or snag a ticket to the game and come see it live in person.

🤔 SHOCKER TRIVIA

New Blood. Shockers basketball recently secured a future home-and-away series against Big East opponent DePaul for the ‘24-’25 and ‘25-’26 season. The all-time series currently sits at 4-4, but WSU will look to break the tie once these two take the court in a couple of years.

The question today—can you name the last time the Shockers played the Blue Demons in a basketball game?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

🌾 ONE BIG THING

Terry Nooner, head women’s basketball coach, has officially filled out his roster and is no longer the newest hire at WSU. Let’s take a look at some of the new faces who will be making regular appearances on the sidelines.

Antwain Scales. The Wichita native joins Nooner’s staff from GCCC where he put together a 42-44 career record in his three-year stint. Before that, Scales was the head coach of Wichita South High School where he had a 152-18 career record and lead the team to back-to-back-to-back-to-back 6A state championships.

Brooke Costley. Most recently, Costley was helping build a new program at Texas A&M Commerce where she lead the team to the Southland Conference semi-finals in the team’s first year. The former player joins Nooner and staff for her first experience at the mid-major level.

Nick Bradford. A former teammate with Coach Nooner at Kansas, Bradford moves up from the high school ranks where he spent the past four years at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas. The three-time Big 12 champion adds some more first-hand player experience to the Shockers.

D’Anthony Knight. WSU’s newest strength and conditioning coach comes to us from Washington State where he lead the football program as an associate. The former football player spent some time at KU in 2019 and looks to continue to build up his players in the Sunflower State.

📬 STICK WITH US

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📅 THE DAY AHEAD

Friday 4/28

⚾️ Baseball vs. Memphis @ 6:00 in Wichita, KS | ESPN+ | Tickets

🥎 Softball vs. Tulsa @ 6:00 Tulsa, OK | ESPN+

Saturday 4/29

👟 Track and Field @ Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa

🏐 Volleyball vs. Nebraska @ 2:00 in Central City, NE

⚾️ Baseball vs. Memphis @ 2:00 in Wichita, KS | ESPN+ | Tickets

🥎 Softball vs. Tulsa @ 3:00 Tulsa, OK | ESPN+

⚾️ Baseball vs. Memphis @ 2:00 in Wichita, KS | ESPN+ | Tickets

Sunday 4/30

🥎 Softball vs. Tulsa @ 12:00 Tulsa, OK | ESPN+

⚾️ Baseball vs. Memphis @ 12:00 in Wichita, KS | ESPN+ | Tickets

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Nov. 25, 2013!

The last time these two played was in the CBE Classic in Kansas City where the Shockers whooped up on DePaul 90-72. Fun fact: WSU put up just 35 points against them in their second-ever meeting back in 1939 and still came out with a win. Oh how the game has changed…

Have a great weekend, y’all.