The RoundHouse | 2/18/2022 3:37:00 PM

 
Wichita State opens its third season under coach Eric Wedge at 6 p.m. (Friday) at Louisiana Tech.
 
The Shockers, 31-23 last season, are picked fourth in the American Athletic Conference. They start the season with 12 games away from Eck Stadium before opening at home against Oral Roberts on March 8.
 
Five questions as the Shockers get started:
 
Who are the newcomers to watch?
 
The Shockers brought in 12 transfers, six from NCAA Division I programs, and nine freshmen.
 
The spotlight first goes to the pitching rotation, where freshman Payton Tolle and sophomore transfer Will Stevens will start this weekend. Tolle, from Yukon, Okla., will also play first base or designated hitter to take advantage of his power potential.
 
Tolle is the first two-way player during Wedge's tenure. Communication and observation will be important, so the freshman doesn't get over-taxed with the demands of two positions.
 
 "He knows himself very well, whether it be in the box or on the mound," Wedge said. "He's very physical, a lot of raw power. But he's also an athlete, so there's a lot to like there."
 
 

Time to blaze our own trail. pic.twitter.com/mVg1Y4jO6j

— Wichita State Baseball (@GoShockersBSB) February 18, 2022

The infield is another spot that will likely depend on newcomers, in addition to returners such as first baseman Garrett Kocis, second baseman Jack Sigrist and shortstop Andrew Stewart. Brock Rodden and Sawyre Thornhill, both transfers, can play multiple positions. Freshman Xavier Casserilla enjoyed a strong fall at third base and is a good hitter.
 
How does the bullpen look without closer Aaron Haase?
 
The Shocker relievers are experienced, and that group should develop into a strength.
 
Returners LJ McDonough and Ryan Stuempfig are both experienced, versatile pitchers who can work in middle relief or in the late innings. McDonough didn't allow an earned run in 14 2/3 innings in conference play and produced five outings of two innings or longer. Stuempfig started six games in 2019 as a redshirt freshman. Last season, he went 6-0 with a 3.11 ERA in 23 appearances out of the bullpen.
 
Haase, who recorded eight of the team's nine saves last season, was picked in the 17^th round by Detroit. His likely replacement is graduate student Connor Holden, who recorded eight saves (with a 2.10 ERA) for Murray State in 2021.
 
"Those last three outs are the hardest outs to get," Holden said. "You're getting 100 percent of everyone's focus. My focus is to attack, because if I'm attacking, that's when I'm on my best stuff. I want to get out of the inning in 10 pitches or less. Strikeouts are great and everything, but I'd rather three groundouts, five pitches, let's move on."
 
Where does the offense come from?
 
The Shockers lost outfielder Corrigan Bartlett (.345, seven home runs), third baseman Paxton Wallace (.322, 11 home runs) and outfielder Hunter Gibson (.289, seven home runs).
 
Expect the Shockers to maintain on offense with a lineup that is deeper and more experienced. The roster should offer Wedge more options to combat slumps, injuries and match up against pitchers.
 
Kocis (.286, 12 home runs) is the American's preseason all-conference pick at first base.
 
Outfielders Seth Stroh (.231, three home runs), Couper Cornblum (.285, five triples) and Chuck Ingram (.225, three home runs) all started 23 or more games. Catcher Ross Cadena (.274, 14 doubles) returns for his fourth season as a starter.
 
Sigrist (.321, 14 doubles) stole 15 bases and compiled a 40-game on-base streak. He may play in the outfield, to protect his throwing arm, as he heals from a shoulder injury. His speed and ability to get on base make him essential to the offense.
 
Newcomers such as Rodden, Casserilla and Thornhill are expected to add pop to the infield.
 
Is there a key to the season?
 
Keeping Kocis healthy is critical. A wrist injury limited his 2021 season to 36 games. In 2019, injury ended his season just as he was taking over the role as a starter.
 
Kocis is the kind of presence the lineup needs, and his experience on and off the field is important, as well.
 
When is the season's defining stretch?
 
By April 1, Wichita State will have played, weather permitting, 12 road/neutral games and 13 homes games. We should know a lot about the Shockers.
 
That sets up the next stretch as crucial for a team that wants to contend for a conference title and NCAA regional spot. The Shockers open conference play at Houston and preseason favorite ECU. A visit by Oklahoma State and a return game to Stillwater complete a tough eight-game stretch.
 
From there, the Shockers play eight of their next nine at home.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.