As well as Wichita State may – or may not – hit from game to game, no matter how effective the baserunning or flashy the defense, one component seems to most closely relate to wins and losses.
Walks.
WSU pitchers can make games feel interminable by issuing them, as they did throughout Cal Poly’s 7-2 win at Eck Stadium on Friday night. Over three hours and 19 minutes, WSU issued eight walks and a pair of hit batsmen.
It was the eighth time in 22 games the Shockers (7-15) have walked at least five. The only win was against overmatched North Dakota earlier this month.