WICHITA, Kan. ? Wichita State sophomore pitcher Grant Muncrief will have season-ending surgery on Tue., April 21. 

Muncrief, a right-handed pitcher from Farmington, N.M., will have Tommy John surgery in Birmingham, Ala., under the direction of Dr. James Andrews.  He is expected to be out 12-16 months.

“We have been dealing with this possibility for several weeks,” head coach Gene Stephenson said.  “It's another devastating blow because he had emerged at the time of his injury as our top relief pitcher.  We all hope and pray for his successful return as soon as possible.”

In 2009, Muncrief was 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA and two saves.  In six appearances, he pitched 15 innings with 16 strikeouts.  He had not pitched since March 20 against Long Beach State.

Muncrief is the third relief pitcher lost for the 2009 season.  Seniors Logan Hoch and Tyler Fleming are both out after having offseason shoulder surgery.