WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita State University baseball team hosted its 2019 First Pitch Banquet on Friday, Feb. 1, inside the Aetna Multi-Purpose Center at Charles Koch Arena.
 
College Baseball and Pizza Hut Shockers Sports Hall of Famer, and former Wichita State head coach Gene Stephenson was the featured speaker for the event.
 
Stephenson coached the Shockers from 1978-2013 and helped lead Wichita State to seven College World Series appearances, including winning the 1989 College World Series title. He was named the NCAA Coach of the Year three times, and selected Missouri Valley Coach of the Year 11 times.
 
The event helped raise money for the Wichita State baseball program.
 
Several Wichita State baseball players were honored at the banquet, as team awards from the 2018 season were presented.
 
The team award winners from last season included:

• Wichita Eagle Most Valuable Player: Alec Bohm
• L.C. Harmon Most Outstanding Player: Luke Ritter
• Professional Image Center Most Outstanding Pitcher: Keylan Killgore
• Cessna Academic Leadership Award: Preston Snavely
• Elrick and Associates Most Improved Player: Gunnar Troutwine
• Merle Geist "Charlie Hustle" Award: Jordan Boyer
• Tom and Anne Vanderhoofen Golden Glove: Greyson Jenista
• The Coleman Company Beacon of Light Award: Jacob Katzfey
• Travis Wilson Most Inspirational Player Award: Gunnar Troutwine

Wichita State is scheduled to open its 2019 season at Grand Canyon in the Angels College Classic Friday, Feb. 15, in Phoenix, Ariz.