The RoundHouse | 10/14/2022 1:43:00 PM

 
Every championship team needs an unlikely hero. Shocker fans who watched Wichita State's 1989 College World Series champions knew the big names. By the end of the run, they knew the story of a backup catcher who came to Wichita State as a walk-on.
 
Senior Mike Wentworth hit two crucial home runs for the Shockers during 1989 NCAA play after hitting none during the regular season. Injuries forced coaches to put him in the lineup in the post-season. Wentworth, by his own admission, served mostly as bullpen catcher and a good arm to throw batting practice.
 
Given that opportunity, Wentworth, from Canton, N.Y., took advantage in ways that remain prominent in Shocker lore.
 
He hit a two-run homer against Fresno State in an elimination game in the NCAA West II Regional to give the Shockers a 5-4 lead. They won 6-4 to stay alive. They advanced to Omaha with a win over Michigan.
 
In Omaha, Wentworth hit a three-run home off Florida State starter Clyde Keller to tie another elimination game 4-all. The Shockers won 12-9 to advance to the championship game. WSU defeated Texas 5-3 and Wentworth went 2 for 4 and scored a run hitting ninth in the lineup.
 
In two elimination games, with the Shockers trailing, Wentworth homered to give the Shockers a boost when they needed it most.
 
The story gets even better.
 
Wentworth, in the lineup as the designated hitter, hit the first home run on his mom's birthday.
 
He hit the home run against Florida State on his dad's birthday. In his pocket was a piece of paper that read "SOMETHING MAGICAL WILL HAPPEN TODAY," from a piece of Bazooka Bubble Gum he opened earlier that day.
 
In his home, that Bazooka prediction is framed. In 1999, he told the Wichita Eagle "I never tried to be the hero or anything like that. I don't know where the home runs came from. I was just so happy to finally get the opportunity to play."
 
At Wichita State: Wentworth started 30 games over four seasons after redshirting in 1985. He hit .277 in 33 games in 1989. As a junior, he hit .300 in 30 games, highlighted by two doubles and a home run in a 19-5 win over Creighton.

Update us on your current location and life status:
I am in my 33rd year of teaching and coaching basketball, softball and soccer in upstate New York. I have been married for 32 years to former WSU tennis player Carla Clark. I have two grown children who both played baseball and softball at the college level. 
 
What was your major at Wichita State?
K-12 physical education
 
Why did you choose Wichita State?
I chose Wichita State because it had one of the top baseball programs in the country. When I saw them play Miami on ESPN, I loved that they sprinted on and off the field. 
 
Besides the sport you played as a Shocker, what was your favorite sport?
My favorite sport besides baseball was basketball.  To this day, Carla and I still follow Shocker hoops.
 
Who was your favorite professor at Wichita State?
My favorite professor at WSU was Sue Bair. If it wasn't for her, I would not be in my 33rd year of teaching. 
 
Which teammate helped your adjustment to college life?
I don't think I can pick just one teammate who most helped me adjust to the college life. In my five years at WSU, I developed some great friendships with different teammates. Some I communicate with more than other, but if any of them ever needed anything, I would be the first one there. 
 
What are your favorite memories from college athletics?  
The obvious answer is playing in the College World Series or meeting my wife in college.
I think my favorite memories, though, are road trips and the times I would throw extra BP or catch extra bullpens to guys that wanted to get some extra work in.
 
Most people don't realize that I didn't play very much and working with those guys made me feel like I was doing something for the team. I spent a lot of time in the bullpen with Jim Newlin, Jeff Bluma and Pat Cedeno. I threw a lot of extra BP to guys like Mike McDonald, PJ Forbes, Kent Headley, Terry Elliot and Arnie Beyeler. Those guys loved to work hard and I just wanted to do my part to help the team win. 
 
What advice would you give to a person starting their athletics career in college?
 
I tell every kid that I have coached and moved on to play at the college level: Enjoy the experience because it goes fast. Don't get all caught up in playing time. Work hard and good things will happen to you. Winning as a team is way more memorable than any individual accomplishment. Trust me.
 
What book you would recommend to current college students?
That is a tough one for me. The way my career ended at WSU I guess I should say "Rudy Ruettiger: The Walk On."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. "Catching up" is a regular feature highlighting former Shockers. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.