When Utah Valley’s Kade Poulsen came up against Wichita State in the fourth inning on Saturday, he might as well have been carrying a fungo bat.
His single down the right-field line was placed just where one of WSU’s coaches would have hit one during fall and winter practices. Greyson Jenista corralled it and threw accurately to shortstop Trey Vickers, who nabbed a runner trying to move from first base to third.
The 9-6-5 putout wasn’t a turning point in WSU’s 16-2 win at Eck Stadium, but it gave the Shockers a chance to apply the good habits they sharpened during the offseason.