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Shocker Brew 5/3: Legendary Generosity

Shocker Brew 5/3: Legendary Generosity

Today, Wong named finalist for USA Softball Top 26 and Coach Mills inks newest member of men’s basketball

Zach Garrett
May 03, 2024

Good morning! Wichita State University Athletics and the Shocker Baseball received a $600,000 planned gift – restricted to future support of the baseball program - by none other than 2014 National College Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and former Shocker head coach Gene Stephenson.

“Wichita State Baseball is our life's work. We are so thankful to our coaches and staff, fans, and the greater Wichita business community for embracing our mission and providing vital assistance in achieving the support essential to past, present and future success. We know that Wichita will accept the challenge of NIL, as we have, providing championship-level resources for our program.” - Gene Stephenson

By successfully matching Coach Stephenson's annual minimum $20,000 commitment to Shocker Baseball NIL, Shocker Nation can help secure consistently strong annual contributions to NIL, allowing Shocker Baseball to retain and recruit elite-level talent.

What else are we mixing into today’s Brew?

🥎 Wong named finalist for USA Softball Top 26
🏀 Shockers ink newest member of men’s basketball
🌾 And much, much more!

🌾 ONE BIG THING

Wichita State softball’s CC Wong has been having a season for the ages, and Shocker Nation aren’t the only ones who have taken notice. Wong was recently named one of 26 finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. The nomination makes her the first Shocker not named Sydney McKinney to make the cut for the USA Softball Player of the Year Top 25 finalists.

The British Columbia native ranks 5th nationally in batting average (.455) and on-base percentage (.555) and 12th in slugging percentage (.851). She has started all 43 games this season for the Shockers and has 13 home runs and 43 RBI. Wong is a two-time AAC Player of the Week and was the NFCA National Player of the Week on March 25.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Fresh Ink. Shocker men’s basketball made an addition to its backcourt with the signing of Georgia transfer, Justin Hill. The Houston, Texas, native will enter his fifth year on next season’s team. Hill appeared in 37 games, making three starts for Georgia in 2023-24, and posted 9.5 points and 3.2 assists per game on 37.9 percent shooting. He had 17 games of 10 or more points, including a season-high 21 points in the second round of the NIT.

🔼 Last Ride. In the final weekend of the regular season, Shocker softball will host the Memphis Tigers for Senior Weekend at Wilkins Stadium. Wichita State will recognize its seven seniors: Addison Barnard, Lainee Brown, Madyson Espinosa, Jessica Garcia, Lauren Howell, Bailey Urban and CC Wong. Heading into the series, the Shockers are currently in fifth in the AAC standings, but with a big weekend, could jump up to fourth.

🔼 Best For Last. After tying for fourth place in the American Athletic Conference Championship, Michael Winslow was selected to the AAC All-Conference Team. Winslow is the 106th all-conference honoree in the history of the Shocker men's golf program and becomes the third for the Shockers since joining the American Athletic Conference in 2017. His round of 66 on day three was his career low-18 score, and his fourth-place finish is his highest as a Shocker.

🔼 All-AAC Status. For only the fourth time in Shocker women’s tennis history, Xin Tong Wang was named to the 2024 AAC All-Conference Team. She is the first student-athlete to be named to the team from Wichita State since the program joined the conference in 2018. She amassed 27 total wins in dual matches, going 12-7 in singles and 15-5 in doubles. Her singles win total in dual matches tied for the team lead on the year and her 15 doubles wins with partner Natsumi Kurahashi, led all Shockers.

🔼 Playing Abroad. Following a successful season that saw Shocker volleyball earn an NIVC Championship, the program announced a 10-day exhibition tour to Brazil from May 26 - June 5. The Shockers will play at least four matches on the tour against local Brazilian teams, in addition to hosting a youth volleyball camp and team practices. The tour's itinerary will begin in São Paulo, with additional stops in Rio de Janeiro, Saquarema and Arraial do Cabo.

🤔 SHOCKER TRIVIA

Three Musketeers. Many of Shocker Athletic’s top players were named All-Conference this week, including men’s golf’s Michael Winslow who joined an exclusive trio of Shocker golfers.

Our question this morning: do you know the two other golfers who were named to an AAC All-Conference Team?

Think you got it? Scroll down to see if you know your stuff!

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 Brew is sent every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and is completely free!

📆 LOOKING AHEAD

*All times Central

Friday, May 3

Saturday, May 4

Sunday, May 5

🌾 Click here to see the full Wichita State Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Marcus Wochner (2021) and Blake Lorenz (2023)!

Winslow joined both Wochner and current teammate, Lorenz, as members of Shocker men’s golf who have been named to the AAC All-Conference Team.

🌾 Have a great weekend, y’all!