Baseball | 11/26/2025 3:17:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Early in his first practices as an NCAA Division I baseball player, Nolan Ganter knew things needed to change, a feeling that increased with each bad at-bat.
 

"It woke me up," he said. "I realized I had to do something about it."
 
Ganter, a junior first baseman from Pima (Ariz.) Community College, went to work with coach Brian Green and went to work in the weight room, a place he previously didn't prioritize.
 
By the time Wichita State wrapped up fall practices earlier this month, Ganter was the name everyone mentioned. He hit .322 with 11 home runs and 14 doubles last spring at Pima on his way to All-Region, Division II honors at first base. When he faced better pitching at WSU, he learned he needed to make several adjustments.
 
Day by day, he hit with a bit more pop and understood the strike zone better. He got stronger by getting serious in the weight room. He improved his athletic ability to the point Green mentions him as possible outfielder.
 
"It became pretty apparent he was a good listener," Green said. "Nolan was a guy who didn't say much but was a very hard worker. He would go work on stuff on his own. He would come back the next day just a little bit better."
 
Ganter's improvement started by hitting with teammate Zeb Henry, an infielder who related to the difficulties of stepping up in competition from junior college.
 
"Early in the fall, he was struggling, a lot of swing and miss," Henry said. "He listened to Coach Green. He just kept getting better. By the end of the fall, he was the best hitter in our lineup."
 
Ganter's biggest adjustment smoothing out the rotation of his hips and lower body to get more power and consistency into batting swings.
 
 

TRIPLE THREAT 🤙@Ganter1Nolan & @BugnerDrew each knock in two with a three-bagger. pic.twitter.com/qMVVtjV98m

— Wichita State Baseball (@GoShockersBSB) October 28, 2025

 
 
"I had a lot of stop and go," he said. "Having a fluid motion, a fluid stride helped me see the ball better, pick up pitches, put my best swing on the ball."
 
Green noticed the change in Ganter's ability to hit the ball to all fields as the fall progressed. Hitting a home run off a 97 mph fastball against Dallas Baptist demonstrated the changes.
 
"He could not get the bat-head out in front, so he couldn't pull the ball at all," Green said. "You saw him progressively get better about the middle of October. Next thing you know, he's starting to hit the ball to center field. Then we're going to left-center. Then he's handling velocity."
 
Henry, who started 13 games at second and third base last season, talked Ganter through some of his transition from junior college. The adjustment period, Henry reassured him, is something most transfers endure.
 
"He really bought into what Coach Green talks about," Henry said. "By doing that, it allows him to free himself up and know what he is doing is making him better. That confidence in knowing that he was getting better is what allowed to him to be free."
 
All the work and struggles are worth it to Ganter, who set a goal to play NCAA Division I baseball. Pima coach Ken Jacome has a long relationship with Green and assistant coach Marty Lees and helped connect the player and school.
 
Early in the fall, Ganter leaned on Henry and fellow first baseman after a tough practice. All along, he remained determined to improve.
 
"I didn't want to go out like that," he said. "You're going to have to work through adversity in life."
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
 
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