Exciting Sports Weekend at Wichita State University
This weekend was filled with thrilling victories and heartbreaking losses for Wichita State University's sports teams.
Baseball Dominates Rice University
Wichita State University's baseball team showcased their dominance over Rice University in a three-game series held at Eck Stadium. The Shockers emerged victorious, sweeping the Owls from Thursday, March 28 to Saturday, March 30. With this impressive performance, the Shockers now boast a record of 18-9 for the season and are 5-1 in the American Athletic Conference.
- In the series opener, Wichita State rallied for four runs in the first inning, setting the tone for the game. Despite Rice tying the game, it was a clutch infield single in the seventh inning from redshirt junior Jordan Rogers that sealed the 7-5 victory for the Shockers.
- Sophomore Jaden Gustafson led the charge in the second game, contributing four hits, three runs, and three RBIs to secure a commanding 10-3 win for Wichita State.
- The Shockers closed out the series with a bang, routing Rice with a 15-3 run-rule win. Junior Derek Williams shined in this game, blasting a three-run homer in the first inning and adding an RBI hit-by-pitch later on.
Women’s Tennis Faces Tough Road Matches
On the women's tennis front, things were not as rosy for Wichita State. Ranked No. 58 nationally, the team suffered setbacks in road matchups against The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and No. 46 Memphis over the weekend.
Despite putting up a strong fight and sweeping the doubles point in both matches, Wichita State fell short in singles play. Freshmen Theodora Chantava and Giorgia Roselli managed to secure wins for the Shockers, but it wasn't enough to clinch victory.
With a three-game losing streak and a 10-7 record, the women's tennis team aims to bounce back on home turf during a doubleheader against Tulsa and Kansas City at the Coleman Tennis Complex on Monday, April 8.
Men’s Tennis Breaks Losing Streak
Men's tennis had a mix of results this weekend. After breaking an eight-game losing streak with a 4-1 win against The University of Texas at Arlington, Wichita State stumbled against the University of Tulsa, suffering a 4-0 defeat.
Senior Misha Kvantaliani put up a valiant effort in his match but narrowly missed out on a win. With a 4-17 record this season and no wins against AAC opponents, the Shockers look ahead to Senior Day against South Florida on Friday, April 5.
Rowing Excels at Oklahoma City Invitational
Wichita State's rowing team had a strong showing at the Oklahoma City Invitational, with the women's varsity team clinching victory in the coxed four event. Although the men placed second to Oklahoma City University (OCU) in several events, they demonstrated significant progress since the fall season.
The rowing team looks to build on this success as they gear up for the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship from April 20-21 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Track and Field Shines at Shocker Spring Invitational
The outdoor track and field season kicked off with a bang at the Shocker Spring Invitational in Cessna Stadium. Wichita State athletes secured an impressive seven individual event titles and both 4x100-meter relay crowns.
Athletes such as junior Zander Cobb, freshman Josh Parrish, and sophomore Weston Hulse displayed outstanding performances in their respective events. The track and field team will continue their outdoor season with the Combined Events Invitational on April 3 and 4 at home in Wichita.
With victories to celebrate and defeats to learn from, it was truly an eventful weekend for Wichita State University's sports teams. As we look ahead to upcoming matches and tournaments, let's continue to cheer on our Shockers with pride!
Hey, I'm Hamza Ilyas, Dubai's very own sports and entertainment guru. Started off at The Aquila School and kicked it at Ajman Academy too. Now, I'm all about bringing you the hottest takes and coolest news from the world of sports and entertainment. Buckle up, it's gonna be one heck of a ride. Connect With Me