Wichita State assistant coach Clay Overcash talks about why Oklahoma is such a strong baseball state and how the Shockers recruit Texas with increasing importance. We discuss his early impressions of the Shockers in fall workouts, his favorite catchers and why he decided to return to college coaching after talking with Brian Green.
Wichita State assistant baseball coach Anthony Miller talks about the retreat that put Shocker coaches on the same page with their teaching and strategies. We dive into the Kansas City baseball scene and why it’s a hotbed for colleges. Miller also discusses why he reunited with coach Brian Green, impressions of fall practices and why first baseman Ryan Callahan is a savvy hitter.
Wichita State pitching coach Anthony Claggett prepares fans for baseball practices with a look at the pitching staff, how returner Caden Favors is progressing and favorite big league pitchers. We talk about why he moved from an infielder to a pitcher during his college career and how his experiences in college, the minors and the majors shape his coaching.
Wichita State baseball coach Brian Green starts our series previewing fall baseball. He talks about coaching mentors, Shocker newcomers and which veterans are helping with the transition. We discuss his favorite Gene Stephenson-Brent Kemnitz story, getting to know alums and fans and his favorite book. The Shockers start full workouts on Saturday at Eck Stadium with a scrimmage scheduled for 3 p.m., and fans are invited.
Wichita State pitching coach Mike Pelfrey joins us to talk about Payton Tolle’s two-way brilliance, Grant Adler’s roaming and Clark Candiotti’s slider. We discuss statistical measurements for pitching and how a good catcher can steal strikes. We wrap up by arguing whether Pelfrey’s gone soft, or if he is smartly learning new ways to work with his pitchers.
Outfielder Jordan Rogers and pitcher Caden Favors discuss uniform choices, falling in love with baseball and best and worst walk-up songs on the team. Favors explains his many roles on the staff, including last season’s run as the “opener.” Rogers talks about “energy vampires.” We also break down airplane comforts, newcomers to watch and how the Shocker coaches provided support during a time of transition.
Wichita State interim baseball coach Loren Hibbs joins us with the season drawing near. We discuss returners such as Brock Rodden and Jordan Rogers and newcomers such as Clark Candiotti and David Herring. We talk about Hibbs’ plans to listen to players and use their ideas, while demanding effort and accountability. We spend a few minutes on 1991 Shocker nostalgia and the nightmares Billy Hall and Chris Wimmer caused pitchers. We wrap up with Hibbs revealing his favorite uniform top and his feelings on how combinations are selected for each game.
Episode description: In this episode of Wichita State University’s “Forward Together” podcast, President Rick Muma talks with Kevin Saal, who was hired as director of athletics at Wichita State University in June. Kevin is leading Shocker athletics during a time of significant change – name, image and likeness, the transfer portal and conference realignment top the list.
The “Forward Together” podcast celebrates the vision and mission of Wichita State University. In each episode, President Rick Muma will talk with guests from throughout Shocker Nation to highlight the people and priorities that guide WSU on its road to becoming an essential educational, cultural, and economic driver for Kansas and the greater good.
Shocker pitchers Robert Cranz and Matt Wilkinson update us on fall baseball. We discuss their uniform preferences, their path to Wichita State and how often it’s appropriate for a coach to call when recruiting. We also talk about teammates who are making a good impression this fall and why Cranz thinks he matured over the summer entering his sophomore season.
Junior infielder Sawyre Thornhill joins the podcast to talk about how the Shockers stayed together and rallied after a tough start to the season. He talks about his one superstition during a hitting streak, how COVID-19 changed his college plans and how he ended up starting in left field. He discusses his love for deer hunting, which Shocker teammate is the best basketball player and why shortstop Carlos Correa is his favorite baseball player.
Tag: Wichita State baseball 
