Good morning, Shocker Nation! Ryley Nihart was tabbed AAC Co-Freshman of the Year. Lauren Lucas was named a First Team All-Conference selection for the third time in her career (2022, 2023, 2025). Joining Nihart on the All-Freshman Team was teammate Brookelyn Livanec.

Nihart was also named to the All-Conference Second Team and All-Freshman Team. In conference play, Nihart appeared 21 games, making 17 starts in the circle with 49 strikeouts. Lucas returned to form after missing the 2024 season with an injury to lead the Shockers in batting average (.386), hits (61), RBIs (42), total bases (113) and on base percentage (.500). Livanec started all but one game in AAC play, hitting .351 with five doubles, a triple, 10 RBIs and 13 runs scored.

What else are we mixing into today’s edition of the Shocker Brew? Find out below!

 🏀 WBB coach Terry Nooner announces four signings
📚 Women’s Golf comes out on top as Academic Progress Rates are released
🌾 ​ And much, much more!

🌾 ONE BIG THING

This Is For All the Marbles. The Wichita State softball team opens the 2025 AAC Championship as the No. 5 seed. They will face the winner of No. 8 seed Tulsa and No. 9 seed UTSA today at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

The Shockers are 7-4 all-time in the AAC Championship with one tournament title in 2021. Wichita State went 3-1 in the championship a season ago before falling in the title game to Charlotte. This is the first time Wichita State has been the 5-seed in the AAC Championship.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Golf Claps Ensue. The NCAA has announced Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) information. Wichita State women’s was honored for earning a multi-year Academic Progress Rate in the top 10 percent of all squads in their sport. The APR tracks the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. 
 
WSU saw seven programs earn a perfect score of 1000 for the 2023-24 academic year – men's tennis, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's golf, softball, women's tennis, and women's track and field.

 🔼 Reminiscing on The Roundhouse. Saturday's naming ceremony at Eck Stadium, Home of Tyler Field at Gene Stephenson Park, brought together the former Wichita State baseball coach and many fans, colleagues and former Shockers. Gene Stephenson, Brent Kemnitz, Phil Stephenson and Mike Kennedy share memories on the RH Podcast about Gene and Shocker baseball.

👂🏼 : LISTEN HERE

🔼 Squad Goals. Wichita State head women's basketball coach Terry Nooner announced the signings of Cheyenne Banks, Abby Cater, Taya Davis and Treasure Thompson Tuesday afternoon.

🏀 : DETAILS ON THESE TWO GUARDS + TWO FORWARDS

🔼 Baseball Placeholder. BYU struck for five runs in the top of the eighth inning to blow open a close game, cruising to a 9-2 win over Wichita State on Tuesday afternoon at Eck Stadium.

Wichita State is back in action on Friday night at Rice. First pitch from Houston is scheduled for 6:30 pm CT.

🌾 SHOCKER TRIVIA

In Good Company. How many other Shockers softball players before Ryley Nihart have received AAC Freshman of the Year honors?

Have a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to find out!

🤝 SHARE THE BREW

Do you know a friend or family member who is a Shocker fan? Simply forward them this email and they can sign up to receive the brew by clicking the link below to subscribe. The Shocker Brew is sent every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and is completely free!

📆 LOOKING AHEAD

*All times CST

Wednesday, May 7
🥎 Softball @ American Athletic Conference Championship in Tampa, Florida

Thursday, May 8
🥎 Softball @ American Athletic Conference Championship in Tampa, Florida

Friday, May 9
🥎 Softball @ American Athletic Conference Championship in Tampa, Florida
👟Track and Field - Shocker Open | Meet Info | Schedule
⚾️ Baseball @ Rice @ 6:30 p.m. | Watch | Listen | Live Stats

Saturday, May 10
🥎 Softball @ American Athletic Conference Championship in Tampa, Florida
⚾️ Baseball @ Rice @ 2 p.m. | Watch | Listen | Live Stats

Sunday, May 11
⚾️ Baseball @ Rice @ 1 p.m. | Watch | Listen | Live Stats

🌾 Click here to see the full Wichita State Athletics Calendar

🤓 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Two!

Ryley Nihart is the third Shocker to take home American Freshman of the Year honors, joining Alex Aguilar and Addison Barnard.

🌾 Happy Hump Day, Shocker Nation!